W. Jon Webb

W. Jon Webb, 89, LaFargeville, NY, passed away on November 13th at River Hospital, Alexandria Bay.

Jon was born on July 18, 1936, in Sedgley, England, the son of Ernest and Adeline (Lee)Webb. He served in the Royal Navy as a Boiler Engineer and Recovery Diver, from 1953 until 1958. Jon received a Special Commendation from the Chief of the Royal Navy for diving off the side of the HMS Pickle to save a fellow sailor who had fallen overboard, hitting his head on the way down and was unconscious. He worked on pipelines in Europe and England for a few years.

Jon and the mother of his children, Margaret, then moved to Arnprior, Ontario, Canada, and he worked as a Blacksmith and Steel Fabricator for various companies including Union Carbide Canada Ltd., eventually building his own business, Webbco Steel, for over 35 years. He obtained a degree in Metallurgy while at Technical College in the UK. He was also a member of the CWB.

Jon married Frederica Hale (formerly White) on April 30, 2005, at the United Methodist Church in LaFargeville, NY.

One of the special meaningful events in his life was his Walk to Emmaus retreat # 82 which impacted his Christian life greatly. Also, his disaster training at UMCOR in Louisiana.

Besides his wife, Frederica, Jon is survived by his daughter, Julia (Malcolm) Jones, Bilston, England; sons, Stewart Webb, Dudley, England; Shane White, Arnprior, Ont.; and Brian (Jackie) White, Stoney Creek, his brother, Chris (Tina)Thomas, Sedgley, UK; seven combined family grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. A close cousin Gordon Webb (and wife Doreen) (Canada); Sister, Mary Sparrow (UK) and grandson; Brayden White (Canada) predeceased him, as well as Step-siblings, Catherine & Anthony (UK). Cousins and friends in England, Canada, and here, will miss him.

Family will receive friends at the United Methodist Church of Alexandria Bay, 2 Rock Street, Alexandria Bay, on Sunday, November 23rd, from 1:00-2:00 pm. A memorial service led by family friend, Rev. Rachel Roberts, will begin at 2:00 pm. The service will be streamed on Facebook at unitedmethodistchurchofalexandriabaynewyork.

A reception will follow the service downstairs in the church hall.

Memorial donations may be made in Jon’s name to Alexandria Bay UMC, Wellesley Island UMC, or TIERS Ambulance Service, Clayton NY.