THE wife of a much-loved and widely respected Thurrock postal worker who passed away on Wednesday (30 December) after testing positive for Covid-19 just before Christmas has spoken about the man she described as 'my best friend.'

Mark Jeffryes, 60, of Charlton Street, South Stifford, was the longest serving worker at Grays Royal Mail depot, where stunned colleagues have been pooling memories of a man who they say made time for everyone.

His wife of 34 years, Emma, told how Mark was tested just before Christmas and his health deteriorated rapidly. He was admitted to Basildon Hospital and went into intensive care but he failed to respond to treatment and was put into an induced coma but sadly died, with Emma by his side.

"It just came from nowhere", said Emma. "When he tested positive I got a test too and I was also positive but we brushed it off, thinking we were young and fit enough that we would see it through. But he just became so ill, so quickly.

"It's so difficult to realise just how quickly it all happened."

Friends and colleagues have paid many tributes to Mark, a lifelong Arsenal fan who has been described by many as the life and soul of the party, someone who was always there with support and laughter. Many have said how much they relied on him for help and advice and what a difference he made to their lives.

That's a sentiment echoed by Emma, who says: "Obviously I know him a little differently from those people at work. Mark and I were very different.

"To me he was my best friend, a quiet man who took his time to consider things and who listened first before responding. But that is something that obviously helped those people at work who knew he would be there with good advice and a helping hand."

The couple, who had no children, had known each other for 38 years, meeting when they lived and worked in Camden where Mark had begun his career with the Royal Mail. He started his working life delivering telegrams by motorbike.

Emma and Mark married in 1987 and moved to Grays in 1999.

One of his roles was working on delivering valuable mail and together with friend and colleague Barry Sullivan they were caught up in a couple of robbery attempts, one of which resulted in both being honoured for their bravery.

In total Mark had worked for the Royal Mail for 44 years. He had many roles with the mail service over those decades and during his time in Thurrock walked many of the local rounds delivering, becoming known to many local people for his cheery disposition - and banter about Arsenal.

Among those colleagues to remember Mark is Yusuf Ahmad who told Thurrock Nub News: "Mark was an amazing person, he was very loving and caring towards his colleagues at work.

"I have been working in Grays for four years and from the beginning he made me felt very welcome.

"I was waiting for him to recover from Covid so we can all go out for dinner like we all use to before the pandemic started.

"He will be missed by so many and may God bless him."

Emma has asked those who knew Mark to share pictures and memories of him on his Facebook page, which she is keeping open as a tribute to her husband.

She has also expressed her deep thanks for those who have offered condolences and to family and friends who have rallied round to offer support.

Linked story: Royal Mail gratitude to residents for patience as sorting office is hit by Covid.