CELEBRATION OF LIFE

We said good-bye, farewell, au revoir to Dad today. I did the "eulogy" which I basically called "Memories of Dad." The day turned out to be lovely, clear and sunny and warm enough not to need a jacket. However, we did have the fireplace on in the reception room as it made it much cozier. The food was fantastic, the wine mellow, and the guests happy to share their own memories of Dad. Everyone was having such a great time we had to eventually start putting things away to give them the hint that it was time to leave. In a way, that made me feel good that everyone was comfortable and enjoying the ambience. It still doesn't seem real yet but I guess I'll get used to him not being here with us. It's strange to think of myself as an "orphan" at my age and as the "older generation." But I guess this is the way it is supposed to be. I have my children and their children to watch over now and they will take care of me when the time comes. Such is life. To the left is the photo we chose of Dad and in front of the photo is his favourite hat. He wore it all the time when he was at the care home, even inside, because he said his head was cold. He loved that old hat. If you double click on the photo to the left, it will enlarge, but I don't know why the others won't.

Dad was born in Vancouver, BC to Joseph Henry Jones and Mary Catherine Davies. He lived with his family, which included his brother Art and sisters Catherine and Josie at 11th and Nanaimo and graduated from Vancouver Tech School in 1939.
As a young boy, Dad was always on the soccer field and won his first medal at the age of 11. He was a popular player throughout his youth, and the Vancouver Sun published many articles about his prowess on the field. He later went on to play for the St. Andrew’s Football Club, which won the Dominion Cup in 1947. The team was inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 1986. Dad never lost his passion for soccer and became a linesman and referee, and ultimately the Northern Commissioner for the sport in the 1960s.

Dad joined BC Tel right out of high school and left to serve in the RCAF during WWII as a flight trainer on the East Coast. After the war ended, he returned to the telephone company and retired after 41 years of service.

Dad was also an active participant on the golf course and enjoyed many a round of ‘flog’. He remained active in golf even after his retirement and played with the BC Tel Pioneers. He and Mom enjoyed many years of travel across Canada and to places like Morocco, Greece, Britain, Hong Kong, Japan, and especially to Spain where they returned many times to visit good friends they made there.

Dad always wanted the best for his family. We came first and he never wavered in that regard. We will remember him for his feistiness and his strong sense of right and wrong, and whenever we needed him, he was there for us. He will be greatly missed.

Flowers from my church family and Dad's retirement scrapbook.

The Memory Table

Dad's RCAF medals and memorabilia plus wedding picture

Dad's soccer trophies, medals, and memorabilia