Dagur Jónsson

Dagur Jónsson, the town manager, has passed away. He died on 9 February, after a long and difficult battle with cancer. Dagur will be laid to rest today at 3 p.m. from Hafnarfjarðarkirkja. Attached is the memorial tribute from the Mayor of Hafnarfjörður.

Dagur Jónsson

I would like to take a few words to mention Dagur Jónsson, who has had a long and successful career with the City of Hafnarfjörður. Dagur began working for the town engineer in Hafnarfjörður in 1986. In his early years, he was responsible for surveying, among other things, but his work then evolved to focus on matters related to the Waterworks. He became the manager of the waterworks and later the utilities manager upon the merger of the services, building the modern water supply that the Hafnarfjörður Waterworks is today. Since 1990, the population of Hafnarfjörður has doubled and new districts have been developed, with the corresponding expansion of the water supply.

In recent years, Dagur has been exploring future water sources for the people of Hafnarfjörður, and research has begun in Fagradal with this in mind. The construction of a storage tank in Ásland was also undertaken to prepare for the future. Dagur managed this work as the town's waterworks manager, a position he held until his death. He had an extensive knowledge of the town's water supply and geology, as well as the ability to tell a good story and share his knowledge through lively accounts and anecdotes. Dagur also had the fine quality of being resolute and steadfast, and the reason was usually that he simply knew better, basing his firmness on knowledge and a belief in his projects and his work.

It is safe to say that Dagur carried out his duties and projects with great enthusiasm and expertise, and his passing leaves a huge gap in the staff of the City of Hafnarfjörður. The municipality is not only losing a professional in his field, but staff are also losing a good friend and colleague of many years. It was incredible to watch Dag fight his illness, which he faced with serenity and an admirable will to live. My visit to him in hospital at the end of last year is particularly memorable and so characteristic of Dag as I knew him from our all-too-brief acquaintance. For despite his discomfort and suffering, he continued to talk about the projects he had been working on so tirelessly in recent years, discussing ideas and new ventures. He was determined to carry on looking after himself and his loved ones, and continued to act and plan for the future.

We will always remember that day with great respect and faith in life.

On behalf of the Hafnarfjörður Town Council and its staff, I send my heartfelt condolences to Þórdís Bjarnadóttir, his surviving wife, and to the entire family.

May he rest in peace.

Haraldur L. Haraldsson
Mayor of the Borough of Hafnarfjörður.