Neil Jones did it his way

FAILURE was never an option for Neil Jones and, during his lifetime, he demonstrated the capacity of a man to create a legacy that would endure long after his death. This was part of the glowing tribute paid to the late CLICO executive director during his funeral service at the Lady of Fatima RC Church in Curepe.  Jones, 70, died on Saturday. He was reportedly ailing for some time. In delivering the eulogy, CLICO chief marketing officer, Ian Garcia, said Jones came from humble beginnings in Belmont, but was never daunted by his social circumstances and went on to great achievements.

Garcia recalled that during CLICO’s early days, Jones was the ultimate salesman traversing the entire country, preaching “the gospel of insurance.” He said Jones was well-loved and respected by both his colleagues in the insurance industry and his clients. Jones was a leading figure in the local insurance industry and a member of CLICO’s Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) and, in 1971, he became the first salesman in Trinidad and Tobago to issue $1 million of new business. Jones was the third top CLICO executive and MDRT member to die in recent times. Russell Tesheira died in 2004 and Bunny Alexander died in 2003.

“Failure did not exist for Neil Jones. He was a tireless worker who raised himself from humble beginnings to become a living legend,” Garcia declared. He added that Jones was also a devoted family man and “his aura extended way beyond insurance.” Speaking briefly after the funeral, CLICO executive and former Government minister Carlos John said Jones was simply unforgettable and would be sorely missed. Jones leaves to mourn his wife Seemoy, seven children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Among the prominent personalities attending Jones’ funeral were former police commissioner Everald Snaggs and UWI principal Dr Bhoe Tewarie. CLICO chairman Lawrence Duprey was absent from the funeral. Several of Jones’ clients chatted among themselves after the funeral about the ways in which he had helped them.