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Ray Green 1938 - 2010

Let the memory of Ray and his life be with us forever
  • 72 years old
  • Born on April 15, 1938 in London, United Kingdom.
  • Passed away on July 10, 2010 in London, United Kingdom.

On Saturday the 10th July, Ray Green, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Jubilee Market Hall, sadly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family.  He had made a valiant fight against pancreatic cancer for nearly a year, which he fought so bravely with dignity and courage. From diagnosis he was always cheerful, positive and strong and was determined to fight the disease.  

He made the Jubilee Market unique when he devised a scheme whereby all the market traders were invited by him to assist in fund raising for the market, and were then made shareholders in the Company with a lease on their own particular plot in the market for 125 years.

After his fight to save the Covent Garden market when the then GLC had decided to demolish it, he went on to form the Company which he headed until the day he died.  Such was his success that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II came to the market to open it in 1984.  Subsequently he was extremely proud to have a coat of arms awarded to the market by the Royal College of Arms.

He was instrumental in helping the Royal Opera House to raise the funds to rebuild it, and became known by many of the various bodies in the Covent Garden area as “Mr Covent Garden.”  He was a leading Freemason and chaired many of the governing associations in Westminster.  

To say he will be missed by thousands is an understatement, and there is a facility on this site, for anyone who knew him to theoretically “light a candle” by sending in such anecdotes as he will be remembered by.
 
His family feel it would be an appropriate gesture for a charity to be set up in Ray's name to support research into pancreatic cancer.  As and when this is formed, details will be published on the Jubilee Market website.

Please leave a personal message and upload any images, stories or memories you have of Ray.

Leave a Tribute
Posted by David Davenport on 12th July 2018
A good friend still missed. I was in Covent Garden recently and it was alive with so many enjoying themselves. What a legacy.
Posted by Jean Robson on 11th July 2018
I can't believe it's 8 years since we lost our wonderful friend. God threw away the mould when he made Ray. No one can ever fill his shoes. He never said "No" to all those people who asked him for help. Please God, let him know in heaven that there are those who miss him still.
Posted by Louis Myers on 10th July 2018
Once met never forgotten. I owed him a lot. Rest in peace old friend.
Posted by Amanda Green on 10th July 2018
8 years today. I miss you every day
Posted by Amanda Green on 16th April 2018
Sending all my love to heaven on your 80th Birthday. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you and wish that you were still here. So much has changed. I wonder what you would make of it all? I love you so very much and miss you with all my heart. Mandy x
Posted by David Davenport on 15th April 2018
Another year gone by.Hard to believe 8 years have passed. Still remembered.
Posted by Amanda Green on 10th July 2017
Seven years since my dad left us. I still think one day he's just going to open the door like he never left. Sleep well dad, I miss you a lot. x
Posted by David Davenport on 15th April 2017
A good friend gone to soon.
Posted by Louis Myers on 15th April 2017
I'm sure he looks down On us and, smiles, no doubt he also throws his hands in the air wondering. Sleep well old friend. I still miss you . Lou Myers.
Posted by Amanda Green on 11th July 2016
Six years today since you left us. Every day I wish if only I could have you back, for a little while, so we could sit and have that one last chat. Dad I miss you so very much
Posted by David Davenport on 11th July 2016
Hard to believe 6 years have passed. Still missed.
Posted by Peter Scutt on 10th July 2016
Another year on, yet so many things still bring back such strong memories of Ray. RIP Brother.
Posted by David Davenport on 10th July 2015
Hard to believe that 5 years have passed.Lost a good friend in Ray.
Posted by Jean Robson on 10th July 2015
I boast of being a person who doesn't cry, but today, 5 years after the loss of such a wonderful person as Ray, I did shed a few tears. God threw away the mould when He made Ray. There never was, never could be another like him. He was a big hearted friend to all. We miss you Ray.
Posted by Peter Scutt on 19th April 2015
Hard to believe it's almost been 5 years; his memory is still so clear. Lunch the other day in Joy King Lau brought back memories of your oh so specific Chinese favourites.
Posted by Jean Robson on 15th April 2015
At the time of his passing, I said that no one could ever fill his shoes. How right I have proved to be. Ray was a "one-off", and without him Jubilee is now only a shadow of the vibrant flourishing place he made for all the traders. Shareholders and casuals alike. God Bless you Ray. You never said "No" to anyone who asked for help if there was a possibility of you giving a helping hand. There are dozens of us who must now say, "Without Ray Green, my life would never have been the happy success it has been"
Posted by Carol Stevenson on 2nd October 2014
I am a kiwi who lived in London for many years. Whilst there I was Keith Hudson's secretary at Hudson Freeman Berg. They were the solicitors who created the 125 year leases for Jubilee Market. I saw a lot of Ray during the early years of the Market and was even there the day the Queen came to cut the ribbon! Ray was such a lovely man - very dapper, and a true English gentleman, and I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
Posted by Brian And Yvonne Bromley on 10th July 2014
After working at Jubliee for a number of years, we retired in 1991.Even now, after all these years.we still have many happy memories of our time spent there. Needless to say, many of them were of Ray, who was a thoroughly kind and decent man.
Posted by Peter Scutt on 22nd December 2013
I miss my friend more than I thought I would.
Posted by Jean Robson on 23rd August 2013
I knew Ray for over 30 years. He was a giant of a man, not physically, but spiritually. He had a most wonderful, kind and generous nature. He never turned away anyone he could help, and gave his life for the market he loved so much. He was so proud that through his efforts he had ensured the livelihood of over 100 market traders. I cry when I think we will never see him again.
Posted by Louis Myers on 11th July 2013
To those of us who knew, worked and laughted with Ray, for so many years, in our hearts he really is still with us, a memorial dinner some weeks ago, celebrating 75 years of a fellowship that many of us belong to, we remembered him, and held a short silence, afterwards, we whilst we dinned, so many stories were told of him, most of them very funny. Sleep peacefully old friend. I miss you.
Posted by Amanda Green on 18th April 2013
On 15th April 2013 my dad would have been 75 years old. I think about you every single day and miss you terribly. I hope they have good birthday celebrations up there - you know how you loved to party... especially post event with the Hoover! Happy Birthday to you Dad. Hope all is well in heaven. Love you always and forever. Mandy x
Posted by Louis Myers on 16th April 2013
Happy birthday Ray. You are still with us, your precedes is allways felt by those of us who knew and loved you. My sincere thoughts to his Wife and Daughters. Most respectfully. Lou Myers.
Posted by Suzanne Molava on 15th April 2013
Ray was a loved, kind family man so endearing any time of day. He brightened both my day and working life at Jubilee. His invaluable respect, timings, wonderful communications for all fellow traders and customers. He helped all I recall,and paid incredible attention to making home from home at work,being the fuse of energy and excellence,will be missed always and on his day of remembrance.
Posted by Louis Myers on 13th October 2012
It was my privilege and honour to have beeen able to call this lovely man my friend, and to be considered one of his. I knew him for just over 25 years, and in that time he was instrumental in assisting me to join various important associations and events, he became part of my family
Posted by Alan Harding on 16th April 2012
I was in Covent Garden yesterday and I swear the spirit of Ray was still present in every nook and cranny of the market. He was so instrumental in its success. Happy birthday Ray you will never be forgotten
Posted by Sandra Shevey on 31st January 2012
Nothing stopping them for buying up the Jubilee Market now...Green was the sole force being trader protectionism. I was pleased to know him years back and when beginning my walks celebrating London`s vanishing markets.
Posted by Cyril Waterman on 28th October 2011
The ship has losted its Captain........ R.I.P.
Posted by Yvonne McLaughlin on 22nd May 2011
Ray was the kindest, most generous man, a privilege to know him and work with him. The world is sadder place without him, he leaves many legacies behind, but we all still had so much to learn from him. Certainly a life worth living.
Posted by Gill Diaper on 16th May 2011
I had never met Ray - but Covent Garden is an amazing tribute to his memory - by working relentlessly to save this historical market he has achieved a place in Covent Garden for ever.
Posted by Amanda Green on 31st March 2011
To my dad, As time goes on, we miss you more and more. May I please urge people who visit this site to leave a tribute.... Mandy Xxxxx
Posted by Alan Harding on 17th December 2010
I first met Ray in 1984 as a young salesman working for the camden new journal.I spoke with him regularly and to the end he remained a charming, friendly and always positive influence. He will be really missed. God Bless you Ray.
Posted by Tony Sherman on 7th September 2010
over the 34 years,since the original inception of street market activities at the Jubilee,Ray always proved a good friend and honest broker, a human dynamo, yet caring and considerate to all. He earned and gave respect and I consider it an honour to have known him. His passing leaves a void in the hearts of all those that he touched. May his dear soul rest in peace.
Posted by Brian And Yvonne Bromley on 14th August 2010
Yvonne and I are proud to have known Ray for almost 30 years. He was a thoroughy decent honest man, who had an ear for everyone. Sincere condolences to his wife and family.
Posted by David Davenport on 29th July 2010
I knew Ray for 18 years. One of the most genuine people I have ever known.It was my privilege to have known him. He will be missed.
Posted by Phil And Sue Reddy on 22nd July 2010
Sue and I were both very saddened to hear of Ray s passing. Our heart felt condolences go out to his wife and children. Rest in peace my friend
Posted by Natasha Mullins on 22nd July 2010
I knew Ray for a very short time, working on the Jubilee Market website. But in that time, I saw what a character he was, what drive he had and how much he was respected. Sadly missed.

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