Alphonse Nuss  1936-2005 


AN APPRECIATION

I’ll never forget the day newly-elected Councillor Alphonse Nuss arrived at my office and shook me warmly by the hand. He told me he wanted to form an active partnership between the council and the church for the good of the community. He was very clear that he did not share my faith but believed that all people of goodwill should work together for the benefit of the community. Out of our shared vision sprang The Hope Committee, an ongoing tangible reminder of the passion and endeavour of this amazing individual.

Born in Liege, Belgium on June 3rd 1936, the young Alphonse Marie-Francois showed aptitudes in a number of areas. As a highly accomplished concert pianist he received a number of national awards. He was a keen sportsman and went on to do his National Service as a tank commander (being a lot thinner in those days)Marrying his sweetheart Anita in St. Saviour’s church, Walthamstow 15th July 1961, Alphonse remained throughout his life a committed family man, lovingly cajoling his three daughters to be the best they could be in their various fields. Anita, Paulette, Leslie and Claudine remember with laughter rand tears the many stories of Alphonse’s life, especially the sagas associated with his double-decker bus excursions! Along with Alistair, Martin and John and Josie, Louis, Louise, Helen, Jack and Harry, his family and friends can only fill the space left by his absence with a wealth of glorious and loving memories.

Throughout his life Alphonse has shown an amazing breadth of accomplishment in a wide area of disciplines. As a teacher, both in primary and tertiary education he shared his wealth of knowledge with the emerging generation. As a businessman, he brought opportunity and enterprise to many. As a yachtsman he was surprising, as a bagpiper challenging, as an artist, exquisite and as a cook, gourmand and raconteur he was matchless. As a politician he was frustratingly indefatiguable, a champion of the rights of the weak and a thorn in the side of the bureaucrats. A true socialist, Alphonse Nuss gave himself beyond the capabilities of his own health and strength to serve the people he lived amongst. He would be deeply saddened to see the Stanford-le-Hope Community Shop he fought to open being closed this month but rightly proud to see the legacy of his work in the community living on. Usually smiling, seldom negative, always fighting for the needs of others, Alphonse carved a niche in the history of Stanford-le-Hope that few others will be able to fill.

This year I have been elected to serve an eighth term as chair of The Hope Committee. I do so inspired by the example and passion of this wonderful man, whose service we strive to emulate, whose commitment we struggle to fulfil but whose memory we will never forget.
Salut Alphonse!

JOHN A.K.GUEST
Chair: The Hope Committee