The North Wales firm was established in 1904 by William Owen Jones, with his son Hefin – Martin Jones’ father – subsequently taking over.
Martin Jones originally wanted to become an electrician at the Wylfa nuclear power plant, which was being constructed at the time, but Hefin Jones insisted that he should leave school at 16 and join the family business.
He started off as a compositor at the company, and his love for the printing process blossomed.
He subsequently invested in the firm’s first litho press and was at the helm when W.O. Jones relocated to larger premises on the Bryn Cefni industrial estate in the early 2000s.
Current managing director Marcus Jones is Martin’s son, and the fourth generation of the family to run the company.
He paid tribute to his father and said he had worked tirelessly to advance the business, and “loved everything print, it was his passion”.
“Dad was a very hard worker, striving to be the best in everything he did, and this has passed down to us and all of his grandchildren,” Marcus said.
“He was a very outgoing and approachable man, very laid back and nobody had anything apart from nice things to say about him in his business and personal life.”
Martin’s wife Pat also worked at the company, and retired alongside him in 2018.
“He had all the time in the world for his family and customers, which is the main contributing factor to why we are the only commercial printer left in north Wales,” Marcus added.
Outside of work Martin Jones enjoyed photography and also had a passion for high-performance cars, "back when there was actually some money in the printing game!” Marcus quipped.
He died on 13 May after a long battle with Parkinson’s.
He is survived by his wife Pat, son Marcus, daughter Tracey and grandchildren William, Oliver and Macy.
The funeral has already taken place.
Donations in his memory can be made to Parkinson’s UK.
