Blair Patrick Jones

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Blair Patrick Jones who was indeed a born manager. He will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Blair was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was all about. Everyone acquainted with Blair knew him as a well-respected man who was a stable force in his community.

Blair was born on April 14, 1964 to parents Jeremiah and Margaret in his home of Bell Island, Newfoundland. Even as a youngster, Blair learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.

As a young boy, Blair was able to put his natural abilities to work. He was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, he liked to organize and direct. Blair was raised with nine siblings: Buck, Alice, Veronica, Elaine, Imelda, Jim, Jerry, Carmel and Bernie. Blair had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Blair, this was a natural order of life, one he gladly embraced.

Blair's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during his childhood. As a young boy, Blair enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. Blair enjoyed playing road hockey and ice skating with friends. In his spare time he liked drawing and watching cowboy shows.

In school, Blair was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. He sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of his classes. He would eagerly complete his homework, and often put in extra study time when he felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Blair was always good at following directions and meeting his schedules, whether they were set by his teachers or were self-imposed. Blair’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” He graduated from St. Edwards and enjoyed some courses more than others, having favourite classes and teachers. His favourite class in high school was math and the teacher he enjoyed learning from the most was Kenny Reid.

Blair’s practical work ethic carried over into his college years. His logical mind permitted him to work hard without succumbing to the usual distractions of college life. He would tackle an assignment and work through it before moving onto the next project. Blair’s orderly nature gave way to establishing personal study habits and procedures that not only helped him stay on track but often put him ahead of schedule. When Blair saw the need or benefit, he would willingly take on the extra assignment or even attend extra classes in order to learn more and become a better student. He earned his certification as an Automotive Technician. His favourite course was painting.

Blair was sociable and approachable. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. He enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Blair was a member of a group, his interaction worked to keep the others grounded. He wasn’t afraid to confront his friends and, when necessary, he challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Blair came to expect his high standards of performance. While growing up, some of his best friends were Mikey Hedderson, Gerald Hibbs and Bruce Barret. Later in life, he maintained his friendship with Gerald Hibbs and Mikey Hedderson.

An objective and conscientious individual, Blair reveled in the security of his family. On August 1st, 1995 Blair exchanged wedding vows with Dianna Verge on Bell Island, Newfoundland. One of Blair’s most endearing qualities was his uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and his unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for his family and friends.

Blair was ever watchful of his children. He worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Blair would give his stamp of approval to their requests, as long as he could see how they might benefit. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his children were properly raised. Blair was blessed with two children, Brandon Ernest Blair Jones and Stacey Nicole Margaret Jones.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Blair was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. He was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Blair was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively and expected the same from his colleagues. In both his personal and professional environments, Blair upheld his standards. His primary occupation was as a painter. He was employed for 22 years at Clemmer Steelcraft. Blair was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Blair approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, he appreciated the hours he was able to devote to his various hobbies. His favourite pursuits were drawing and restoring cars. Blair was content to enjoy his favourite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Blair to do in life and that carried over to his enjoyment of sports. He also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Top on his list was NASCAR.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Blair used his scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that he made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Blair had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. His favorite vacations included trips to Bell Island and Mississippi with friends in the early 90's.

Blair was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Blair’s favourites was Whisper, a Siberian Husky. They were best friends for five years. His family was rounded out by his horse named Star and the family dog King.

Blair passed away on December 15, 2016 at St. Mary's Hospital, Kitchener Ontario after a heart attack. He is survived by his wife Dianna and children: Brandon and Stacey. Services were held from the chapel of Coutts Funeral Home.

All who knew him would agree that Blair was a pillar of the community. He lived his life with his feet firmly on the ground. He had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in his thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. He was willing to share his ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Blair Patrick Jones did his best to ensure that his family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life he touched was given the chance to become a better person.

Blair Patrick Jones – Eulogy

Good Morning, I’d like to welcome you to this celebration of Blair and thank you for your continued support of his family during this difficult time.

For those of you that don’t know me my name is Teresa Hussey and I have the honor of sharing with all of you this Eulogy for a great man and good friend, Bair Jones. I met Blair through my husband Terry over 25 years ago, as time went by we really got to know Blair and realized just how truly kind and caring he was, and how he was a man of character, it is for this reason we chose him to be the god father for our son Jacob. A fabulous fella he was!

I’d like to share a little more about him with you.

He was born Blair Patrick Jones on April 14th, 1964 at home, on the Green, on Bell Island NFLD. He was the youngest of 10 children born to Jerimiah and Margaret Jones and the baby brother to Buck, Alice, Veronica, Elaine, Imelda, Jim, Jerry, Carmel and finally Bernie. It must get some cold in NFLD!

Blair is the beloved husband of Dianna Verge and the adored, proud father of Brandon and Stacey Jones, and if you ask Stacey, Blair liked her more. He was also the best friend to Whisper his Siberian Husky.

Buck jokingly said to his father while waiting the birth of Blair, “Pop, you have to give this up, we can hardly feed ourselves”, his pop said, “Nah, he’s a gift from God”. That he was. Buck said he was a good kid growing up even if they didn’t want to feed him and stole the goodies from his stocking!

Growing up the youngest of 10 children he earned the nickname Baby Bear from his sister Elaine, and I have come to learn that “Baby Bear” was maybe a tad bit spoiled, or so it could have seemed, there were no favourites they were told… Should you talk to Buck, Jim or Bernie they will be sure to tell you that Blair always got the best of the best, they’ll tell you about Blair’s birthday present, a brand-new bike that was delivered no less in the back of an 18-wheeler, and the little red coupe peddle car he got for Christmas one year, they assure me when telling the story that there is no bitterness 

As a child growing up Blair enjoyed skating, drawing horses, cars and even a little road hockey he also enjoyed puzzles, models and loved his cowboy TV shows, he even had a full cowboy getup! He was a hard case at times but not nearly as bad as his sisters says Buck.

He attended St. Edwards High school where his favorite subject was math, after high school Blair went on to certify as an Auto Body Technician and was extremely skilled in Automotive Repair and Painting.

As a youngster (just as later in life) Blair could always be found tinkering with something. He and a group of friends made their own sleighs. Blair always had the best and fastest one so they say, his was nicknamed “The Green Machine”. Dave Barret will tell you that he’s sure Blair used to sharpen the runners on his own sleigh and put rubber on Dave’s! He spent many hours restoring his first car, a 1966 Ford Meteor, even though it never saw the road.

He had a love of classic cars and Dianna will tell you his first true love is his 57 Chevy Bel Air.

He loved his Rosette Buns however developed an aversion to them after eating an entire package one night, he became a tad bit ill and never ate them again. He wasn’t one to drink however chose to indulge a few nights before his wedding, he would tell you that night and the next day was all Terry’s fault because Terry kept buying them for him, he was some sick the next day. He wouldn’t really drink like that again, always asking “why would someone ever do this to themselves twice”?

Blair loved the Bee Gees and owned every album they ever released. He hated getting his haircut, loved his leather jacket, was quite particular with his tea and would even go as far as to bring his own with him when out visiting, he had to have his Tetley! He wasn’t known to be sick unless, he had to endure conversations about a Ford, this almost always made him nauseous, perhaps that’s why the Meteor never saw the road, he realized he was a true Chevy man!

His cooking was to be desired, he could burn water with the best of them, and turn pasta into an inedible mush but he’d tell you he could open and cook a mean can of stew! He was a huge Nascar fan and there was no talking to him or getting him to budge if it was on!

He always said his dream vacation would be to California because he loved “fast cars and fast women”. He loved his 57 Chevy Bel Air and 1969 Chevy Truck and spent countless hours restoring them. He also enjoyed taking them down the track. Who needs California for fast cars when you have Cayuga… I’ve even heard that years back before building his shop he was known for keeping car parts under the beds, if that doesn’t say true car guy what does! It also says Dianna was a Saint!

Blair left the Island to come to Cambridge in October 1989 Dianne would soon follow a few months later. They would return to Bell Island and marry August 1st, 1995, Brandon and Stacey would come along in time to complete their family.

Blair would go on to teach Brandon about the cars, they would build a go cart together, and restore Blair’s prized possessions. Little Joey as Blair called him would always be at his dad’s side. Brandon would be inside the truck waiting on Blair as soon as Blair picked up the car keys. He would teach Stacey all about cars, and maintenance as well, but he also donned his apron to bake with her.

Bair worked for R&R Auto body when first coming to Cambridge, operated Island Automotive with Keith Neville for a time and for the last 22 years has been employed with Steelcraft Inc (Formerly known as Brute Manufacturing) as a painter. Blair was extremely talented, very particular and always took pride in his work. You could say there was a “work standard” and then there was the “Blair standard”. Just very recently a former co-worker commented to Dianna that there was no better painter than Blair.

Blair was a quiet fella but could also be quite the jokester/prankster. He had a witty, dry sense of humor and if you have had an opportunity to look at the photos around you will see he can pull off a great photo bomb! He was always one to jump out at you or toss something at you when not expecting it to give you a fright. He could always make you laugh. Very recently he was in the booth painting at work when he noticed the president and production manager watching through the window, he laid down the paint gun and came out of the booth and asked them if they were discussing his raise, this is the cheekiness that was Blair.

You could often find Blair walking his dog whisper, hiking the trails, riding his bike and often working on something in the shop. He was always willing to help and share his knowledge with his nephews.

My eldest son Josh shared a message with Dianne and the family, it speaks to the good taste God has, he said “God must have old classics he needs restored, maybe he has a Bel Air and needs some pointers, whatever God has, just know that he called home the best”.

What I shared with all of you today is only but a glimpse of what and who Blair was. There are so many stories to share, and so many that I have heard. He was a great man who was loved by all. Everyone mourns in each their own way but I ask all of you today to take a moment to think about the love, the happy times, and the laughter Blair brought to your life and I encourage you to share those memories with Dianna, Brandon and Stacey and hold them in your heart as we celebrate Blair. He was a genuinely good man, a 1st class teacher, a do anything for anyone guy (unless of course Nascar was on) and will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in Peace dear friend until we all meet again.

Thank you.

* * * * * * * * * *

JONES, Blair Patrick

It is with heavy hearts that we announce Blair’s unexpected passing on Thursday, December 15th, 2016 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Kitchener surrounded by the love of his family and friends at the age of 52. Beloved husband to Dianna, proud father to Brandon and Stacey, dear brother to Buck (Anita), Alice, Imelda, Jim (Marlene), Carmel (George) and Bernie (Bob). Predeceased by parents Jeremiah and Margaret Jones, and siblings: Veronica, Elaine and Jerry. Blair will be sadly missed by his extended family and friends, especially close friends: Sue and Dan Burnside, Teresa and Terry Hussey and Carol and Dwight Boyd. Visitation will take place on Sunday, December 18, 2016 at Coutts Funeral Home, 96 St. Andrews Street, Cambridge (519-621-1650) from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Service will take place the following day on Monday, December 19, 2016 from the funeral home chapel at 11 a.m. with one hour of visitation prior, cremation to follow. As expressions of sympathy, donations made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation in Blair’s memory would be greatly appreciated. A very special thank you to the caring staff of St. Mary’s Hospital – MISCU along with our family and friends for all of the help and support you have shown.