This Is Guernsey

By Nigel Baudains

Jason Piriou with wife Kerry and children, left to right, Holly, 10, Ross, 12, and Aimee, 15. (Picture supplied by the Piriou family)

NEARLY 200 people have joined a group on social networking site Facebook to pay tribute to a popular Guernsey character.

Jason Piriou, 37, died suddenly on Saturday after he collapsed while fishing from rocks near his home at L’Eree. Mr Piriou was the second eldest of five children and the only boy.

The group – In memory of Jason Piriou – was set up by one of his sisters, Lucy Bird. By this morning, it had 185 members and 58 of those had posted messages of condolence.

‘It is a comfort to know that other people are feeling the same as us and to be reminded that he was so well liked,’ said Mrs Bird.

‘We felt we wanted to do something because he was so well respected – a fantastic bloke all around and a good guy.’

A book of condolence will be available in Cobo Village Centre by lunchtime tomorrow.

Mr Piriou’s milk round was in the Albecq/Cobo/Grandes Rocques area and he was very popular among his 550 customers.

He was married to Kerry and the couple had three children – Aimee, 15, Ross, 12, and Holly, 10.

Mr Piriou was president of the Guernsey Milk Retailers’ Association and his main loves after his family were fishing and football.

A former commercial fisherman, he was also a committee member of the Bailiwick Bass Club.

He kept goal for Guernsey in the 1987 Star Trophy – the under-15s Muratti.

A West Bromwich Albion fan, he also coached Sylvans’ under-14s side.

He was a proud man in April when – with Mark Totty and Matt Robert – he helped coach the Guernsey under-12s side to a 3-2 victory over Jersey in the sister island. His son, Ross, was in the side.

Chief Minister Lyndon Trott was among those who paid tribute to Mr Piriou yesterday.

‘I knew Jason well from our days at sea in the Guernsey fishing industry more than a decade ago,’ he said.

‘He was hard-working but also had a great sense of fun and that was evident from the way he lived his life.

‘We met up again earlier this year when our sons played together for the Guernsey under-12s football team.

‘I am deeply saddened to hear of his passing and my thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.’

Article posted on 4th November, 2008 - 2.30pm