Tragedy as Tesco worker and ex-Royal Marine, 81, dies of Covid

Tragedy as Tesco worker and ex-Royal Marine, 81, who stepped in to help on Christmas Eve dies of Covid just two weeks later

  • John Deacy worked at Tesco Extra in Cardiff to keep busy after his retirement
  • He picked up a shift on Christmas Eve and was admitted to hospital days later
  • His son Wayne paid tribute to former marine as a ‘kind’ and ‘generous’ father 

A dedicated Tesco worker who stepped in to help out on Christmas Eve tragically died of coronavirus just two weeks later.

John Deacy, 81, began working at the Tesco Extra in Cardiff to keep himself busy in his retirement – picking up shifts five days a week for 16 years.

The former Marine, who ‘put everyone above himself’, had offered to work a Christmas Eve shift three days before being admitted to hospital with Covid-19. 

He died shortly afterwards, and his heartbroken son Wayne, 56, has now paid tribute to his father who was ‘kind, generous’ and would ‘do anything for anyone.’ 

John Deacy, 81, began working at the Tesco Extra in Cardiff to keep himself busy in his retirement – picking up shifts five days a week for 16 years


John Deacy, 81, began working at the Tesco Extra in Cardiff to keep himself busy in his retirement – picking up shifts five days a week for 16 years. Pictured: A tribute to Mr Deacy at Tesco

‘My dad put everyone above himself. He’d do anything for anyone, he’d help anyone,’ Wayne said. 

‘I never ever heard him have a bad word to say about anybody. He was kind, generous and like I said, would do anything for anyone.

‘My dad idolised the job. Loved it, especially when he won his bronze, then silver and then his gold service award.’

Mr Deacy’s colleagues also celebrated their late colleague in a gathering outside the superstore, releasing balloons and clapping as his coffin passed by.

A jazz band formed by Mr Deacy in the 1970s marched in front of the hearse in the touching tribute near the Tesco in Gabalfa.


The former Marine, who ‘put everyone above himself’, had offered to work a Christmas Eve shift three days before being admitted to hospital with Covid-19.

A jazz band formed by Mr Deacy in the 1970s marched in front of the hearse in the touching tribute near the Tesco in Gabalfa. Pictured: The funeral

Wayne said his father had served in the Royal Marines for seven years and had been a semi-professional boxer.  

He began a career at the industrial gas company BOC and retired before starting his role at Tesco. 

‘We’ve had loads and loads of messages from hundreds of staff who said he will leave a massive gaping hole,’ Wayne added.

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