Jon Poole passes away

Sadly, former co-owner and managing director of Austral Pool & Spa Products, Jon Poole, known as JP, has passed away after battling cancer this year. He was surrounded by his family.

Mike Rippon, managing director of Austral, says they will all miss JP more than words can express.

“JP was not just a work colleague or supplier, but a personal friend of many in the pool industry. We remember a man extremely dedicated to the industry for more than 40 years and known for his positivity, honesty and good natured demeanour.”

He says that JP was a true gentleman, and that his experience, professionalism and reputation were unrivalled.

“JP has been an integral part of the success of Austral over the 21 years he spent as a co-owner and director. His loyalty and fairness were unparalleled. We already miss his kind spirit and send our utmost condolences to JP’s wife Jane and his family. Our deepest condolences to everyone who knew JP and enjoyed his bright presence in their lives.”

Craig Nimmo, managing director of CSN Global, knew JP for more than 35 years and considered him not only a close business associate, but also a personal friend who was well liked and respected by everyone who knew him.

“I never heard JP say a bad word about anyone, nor did I ever hear anyone say a bad word about JP. He treated everyone – friends, work colleagues, customers and suppliers – all with the same strong sense of respect, loyalty and friendship. He bent over backwards for his customers to provide the best service possible and never took his suppliers for granted. Everyone was treated honestly and fairly in JP’s typical, good natured way.”

JP started working in the pool industry more than 40 years ago. Over that time he was involved with and held committee positions with various industry associations, and he held many positions within the industry which gave him an incredibly sound knowledge base.

In the early stages of his career, he worked for a pool building business helping to organise the delivery of pool building products to job sites, and later held the position of national sales manager for many years for Filtration and Pumping Industries (FPI), one of the industry’s founding equipment manufacturers. He was pool shop general manger and ran his own pool valet and service business for several years. He was a major shareholder and director for one of New Zealand’s leading trade suppliers, Austral Pool & Spa Products.

The number of pool builders and shop owners he has helped to get on their feet is immeasurable.

SPLASH! offers sincere condolences to family, friends and colleagues.

IMAGE: Jon Poole at the 2009 SPLASH! New Zealand Expo