Second World War Veteran and consummate community volunteer Lloyd Jones was named the 2018 Delta Citizen of the Year last Friday night.
Jones was presented with the honour at the 67th annual Hats Off to Excellence Awards Gala, presented by the Delta Chamber of Commerce.
The 95-year-old received a standing ovation from a sold-out crowd at the Tsawwassen Springs ballroom.
Jones was his usual witty and humble self as he accepted the honour.
“I thought they were going to ask me to sing tonight,” Jones said. “I was singing at a function just the other today. When I started to sing my favourite song, Are You Lonesome Tonight, several ladies in the audience started taking off their clothes and I said my name is Lloyd Jones, not Tom Jones.
“I really, really appreciate being here. I always take the attitude when I go visit people in the hospital, which I do quite frequently, just to go up to someone and say you look pretty. Just to get a smile. That’s all you need.”
Jones then broke out into song to the delight of the crowd.
Over the years Jones has received countless awards both for his military service and his volunteerism, including the highest award you can receive from the French government for the Battle of Normandy as well as the Queen’s Jubilee medal.
He volunteers for the Legion, the Tsawwassen Community Police Station, visits patients in the hospital, coached hockey many years ago and gives back to the community in any way he can.
Jones and his family have lived in Tsawwassen since 1967.
“This award means that people are thankful for what I do. I don’t go around making a big deal of things. I just do what I think is right. I love helping people my whole life,” he told the Optimist later in the night.
“This year I sold over $9,000 in poppies. I love people. All my life I have worked with people. Just to get the satisfaction of a smile on someone’s face or to brighten up their day. That’s so important. It makes me feel good.”
Jones hopes to continue his volunteerism for at least a few more years.
“I carried the community torch during the Olympics and I’ve done all kinds of things here,” he said. “I love Tsawwassen. I enjoy it here and I hope I can continue to do a few more things here.”
In a presentation video, put together for all of the award nominees, Lisa Hoglund, executive director of the Delta Hospital Foundationm said it was an honour to nominate Jones.
“We are thrilled to be nominating you as Citizen of the Year. You are incredible. You are what volunteerism is all about,” she said.
