Mr Rondel was first elected as a Deputy for St Helier No 3/4 district in 2011 and was a prominent campaigner for road safety and cycle routes. He also served as an Assistant Infrastructure Minister between 2014 and 2018.
He died at the age of 54 after a 3½-year battle with bowel cancer.
A granite stone was recently unveiled next to the cycle path in St Peter’s Valley in honour of Mr Rondel at a ceremony attended by two of his sons, Jack and James, and his parents Lewis and Pam. His other son, Joshua, was unable to attend.
Speaking at the ceremony, Jack said: ‘My late father, Richard, was very well known and it’s days like today that really make me remember the good times. He did so much for this Island, especially St Helier. Touched would be an understatement of how I and my family feel today. There has been so much organisation and preparation behind the scenes and far too many people to thank.
‘Life is what you make of it. There will be good times and there will be bad times. Watching my late father pass was by far the hardest and traumatic thing I’ve ever been through, and I think I also speak for my elder brother, James, when I say that. Family is so important. However, I wouldn’t change anything, as what I’ve been through has made me who I am today, and I would hope that dad would be proud of the young man I’ve become.’
Infrastructure Minister Kevin Lewis said: ‘Richard was a huge asset to the Infrastructure Department. He was always supportive, both to the staff and to the minister, and with a fantastic knowledge of the Island. He was an important and influential part of the department.
‘He took a keen interest in the active-travel side of the ministerial portfolio. He cared about sustainable transport and developing the bus service and cycling. It is particularly fitting that the cycle path has been chosen for the dedication stone.’
The stone’s engraving was done by staff from the Infrastructure Department, with the granite coming from an old quarry used as a store by the department.
