Tributes to Gilmore Jones, local hero

 TRIBUTES have been paid to the man whose name was synonymous with shopping and business in Llanelli, Mr TH Gilmore (Gil) Jones.

Universally known throughout the town as Gil or Gilmore, he died on Sunday, October 20, aged 82.

Gilmore won the Llanelli Star’s Community Champion award in 2010 – an honour which reflected his busy life in retail in the town and his wider interests in supporting community life.

Gilmore was President of Llanelli Chamber of Trade and Commerce between 2006 and 2009 and played a key role in supporting the Special Olympics Carmarthenshire club and his award-winning daughter Llinos.

His good friend Andrew Stephens, who succeeded Gilmore as manager of the St Elli Shopping Centre in 2014, said: “To say he will be missed is an understatement as Gilmore was part of the fabric of community life in Llanelli.”

Andrew, who is now a Llanelli Rural councillor, added: “Gilmore wore his heart on his sleeve and was 100 per cent committed to Llanelli and the people of the town and the area. He will be remembered for his sterling work on behalf of all businesses in Llanelli and for his commitment to help countless charities and community organisations in the town.”

A spokesman for Special Olympics Carmarthenshire said: “Gil’s passing has left a profound void and the club will never be the same as the heart of our community has gone with him.

“For more than 20 years, Gil worked tirelessly as a dedicated volunteer and treasurer. He was the guiding hand behind countless trips to competitions both here in the UK and abroad.

“Every detail, no matter how small, was never overlooked. When Gil organised anything, we all knew every T was crossed and every I was dotted. His meticulous nature was one of his defining traits and it was a gift he shared with us all.

“Gil’s main objective was clear to ensure that Llinos and all the athletes he so deeply cared for were given every opportunity to thrive. He worked endlessly to raise funds and, with his warmth and powers of persuasion, it was hard for anyone to refuse his request. 

“Everyone who knew Gil held him in the highest regard. He was and will forever remain a true ambassador for Special Olympics Carmarthenshire - a man whose kindness and commitment are etched into our hearts.”

Former Llanelli Star and Carmarthen Journal editor Robert Lloyd said: “Gilmore was a much-loved family friend and neighbour who remained cheerful throughout a period of ill health.

“Back in 2010, I nominated Gilmore for the Community Champion award, and explained in the Llanelli Star that ‘if you’ve shopped in Llanelli for the last 30-plus years, then you will recognise Thomas Henry Gilmore Jones as a familiar face’.”

Robert added: “During his time at the St Elli Centre he made sure the shopping centre put the accent on community spirit – encouraging fun days, making sure people took a pride in the local shopping centre and supporting all sorts of community activities in the centre.

“For example, the Ty Bryngwyn Llanelli Hospice Christmas lights campaign in the run-up to the festive period was one of the highlights of Llanelli’s winter.

“Gilmore actively promoted the town at every available opportunity. He took time to care about the shopping experience in Llanelli.

“His support for all aspects of life in Llanelli and the helping hand he provided to the Special Olympics and to other charity and community groups in Llanelli was legendary.”

A native of Tregaron, Gil went straight from Grammar School in his home town to a trainee management position with FW Woolworth in Aberystwyth.

Over the next 17 years, he had a comprehensive grounding in retail management, working in 19 Woolworth stores across the country, including managing stores at Bingley, Yorkshire; Goole, Humberside; Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham, and Radford Road, Nottingham.

He had a brief break in 1977-78 with partnership management of his own news agency, but he missed the retail business so much he became manager of the Coop in Bangor, north Wales.

Gil then took management positions in Coop stores at Bridgend, Swansea and Llanelli, where he stayed as manager from 1983-99, until the old Cooperative Retail Services (CRS) was dissolved.

He then made a seamless move to the new St Elli Centre, which had absorbed his old store, an outlet which later became a Wilkinson store.

In 2010, Gil became an area manager of various retail parks and retail units for a firm of managing agents. His portfolio extended from Bristol to Carmarthen.

Gil retired in 2014, but remained active in community life in the town, supporting the Special Olympics and the Llanelli Scarlets rugby region.

The funeral of TH Gilmore Jones (Gil) will take place on Friday, November 8 - 

11.00am at Greenfield Church, Llanelli, SA15 1DJ, followed by burial at Llanelli and District Box Cemetery, Llanelli, SA15 3EX.

Any desired donations to Ty Bryngwyn Llanelli Hospice.

Gil is survived by his son Matthew and daughter Llinos.

Photo of Gilmore attached. Courtesy of the Llanelli Star.