IT is with great sadness that I read of the death of ex-Senator John Le Marquand. I remember him particularly as a supreme States Member.
When I entered the States in 1975, there he was sitting among other giants on the other side of the Chamber. All very daunting for a new Member. I need not have worried. He was the most helpful and kind person always willing to give advice and an amazing sense of humour.
He was an outstanding and merciless debater, again with the odd splash of humour. He was also a merciless critic if he considered it necessary. However, once the debate was over and he had crossed the foyer of the Chamber, he was back to the normal John Le Marquand.
This was true whether he had won or lost the debate. He had spoken, argued and acted in what he saw as the best interests of the Island of Jersey. Nothing personal and nothing else mattered; an absolute gentleman.
Much will be said of his many accomplishments but I will confine myself to the memory of an outstanding Senator of the States of Jersey, where he was a giant among other giants of the day. He certainly helped and inspired me and I do not believe that we will ever see his like again.
La Vallette,
Rue au Blancq,
Grouville.
Pictured: former Senator John Le Marquand, who died on Sunday
