Tributes after death of popular Wigan dad described as 'Mr Top Lock'

Gareth Jones was a well-known face in the village, having been brought up there and helping people with a range of issues.

But Top Lock is now in mourning after his death on Wednesday, which has left a large gap in a small community.

Gareth was brought up in Top Lock and attended Standish High School. He dreamed of becoming a journalist and did a work experience placement at the Wigan Observer.

He spent time working at Tesco and as a bar tender at Kirkless Hall Inn, before having to give up work due to ill health.

He had been married to Gemma Jones for nearly two years and was proud that she continued in her job as a key worker during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a moving tribute, she said: “I am broken. My darling Gareth, my husband, my best friend, my world sadly passed away.

“My heart is broken and my world is shattered, but I take great comfort knowing how loved he was by everyone. True heart of gold.

“Shine bright my love.”

Gareth was a big Wigan Athletic supporter and regularly watched matches with his friends, including travelling to London to see the team play.

He loved walking with his three dogs, taking photographs and volunteering for the Canal and River Trust.

He also got involved in community issues, doing what he could to fight for Top Lock.

This included campaigning to save a bus service, contacting the council if people had problems and helping to run Facebook pages for local people.

Chris Ready, his friend and councillor for Aspull, New Springs and Whelley, said: “He was kind of Mr Top Lock. He was a real defender of the Top Lock area. He used to get on to me and say, ‘you need to make sure Top Lock has this’.

“He was well into social media so I would always see him on Facebook.

“When you met him face-to-face, he was a really, genuinely nice guy, quite shy in a way and really sincere.”

He recalled going to watch a Wigan Athletic match with Gareth and contacting him last week for help as he put together a quiz about the local area.

Coun Ready said: “I asked him for some questions about New Springs and Top Lock area and he came back straight away. He said he loved his history.

“I think when I do this quiz, I’m going to dedicate it to Gareth’s memory.”

One friend of Gareth’s described him as “one of a kind”, another said Top Lock would be “a sadder place” without him and another described him as “top man from Top Lock”.

A date has not yet been fixed for a funeral.

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