Richard Owen Jones and I served Dow Corning Medical Division, Canada clients, Plastic and Orthopedic Surgeons , for English speaking Canada.  As his marketing manager, I had the privilege of knowing and working for Richard Owen Jones Corporation out of Markham Ontario. Beverly Silverman, Office Manager and Lisa Swartz Assistant and I carried on his operation and his direction after he moved to watch over the Western part of Canada. 
Richard was a Renaissance man. Before we discussed business, we spent hours talking about family, God, history, sailing, edged WWII Weapons,  Wales and Genealogy. He was a man of  great dignity, 
decency, integrity, common respect and knowledge. His booming voice could be heard long before entering the office. His practices and policies grew his business in rapid step in a competitive world. We spoke on the phone some years ago, when I was going through a difficult family time. He spoke to me as a father would and it felt like old times. For those that loved and cared for him, Thank you for sharing part of his life with us in his business world.
May you find comfort in his memory,
Darrell F. Ruthven
Houston, Texas

To Richard’s Family - I am so sorry to hear of Richard’s passing. The world has lost a legendary storyteller. They say that when an old man dies a library burns to the ground and that is certainly the case with him.

I had the great delight of getting to know Richard when I worked as the receptionist at Terrace East and he was a resident there. We spoke most days he and talked of Jean and their travels, of sail boats and faraway lands, the intriguing work of medical device development, the snake bite on his shoulder and that time the only food in the desert was cans of peaches that had fermented. 

He would walk over to see Jean in long-term care and when COVID tried to take that away I remember he would stand outside her window with a sign declaring, “It’s your Ritchie and he loves you.” On the day of Jean’s funeral I stood with him in the lobby of Terrace East while he waited for the car and he told me the story of the first time he saw Jean and how he knew, somehow, right away, that they would spend their lives together. And they did.

I remember the story about the sardines in Portugal that he and Jean expected to be small like the ones you get in England, but which arrived large enough to span across a dinner plate. How he laughed when he mentioned that they had ordered six each!

It feels a little impossible to imagine a world without him in it, but he is now reunited with his beloved – how happy they must be together! I will carry his stories and his laughter and kindness with me. 

What a gift it is to have known him.
 - Claire Colvin, Menno Place

I'm saddened to hear of this news, and offer my sincere condolences to the family. His entrepreneurial spirit and enthusiam for life shone brightly. When I was in the process of relocating to England, he encouraged me not to be a push over when negotiating the terms.  On one occassion I was privileged to enjoy a curry he cooked himself - many talents!  He was unashamed of the gospel and spoke freely of his Christian faith. I'm thankful to have known him.

I want to express my condolences to the family during this time of grief. Thankfully, their grief is not like the world's, for they have the confidence that Richard is now in the presence of his glorious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Richard was very kind to me and I always enjoyed talking with him when our paths crossed. I resonated with Michael's comments as he described his father as larger than life and one whose presence filled a room - I totally get that! If the measure of a man is, at least in part, seen in the family that he helped  (along with his dear wife) raise, Richard's contribution was invaluable. I have had the privilege of knowing Richard's children for several years, and I believe Richard did a fantastic job.

Howie’s tribute – 

I could not have asked for a better or more excellent father. 

Dad was a devoted husband who loved dear Mum incredibly and to whom that “electricity” of which he often spoke only seasoned even after she entered glory. He was a loving and engaged Poppa to his living and departed grand/great grandchildren whom he loved beyond words. He was a wonderful and involved father to me, and later to Camille, always and without fail lovingly supporting and encouraging us both.  He was a man of steadfast character and honour, extraordinary resilience, courageous, a consummate encourager, loyal, an instinctive and dynamic businessman, and charmingly caring towards people he knew or had just become acquainted with (of whom there were many)! 

Dad enjoyed history and, notably, travel that took him all over the world as he worked in and out of hospitals on business in many foreign lands. As I recall some history, when I was a little boy of about 6 or 7 and standing next to Dad in church, I vividly remember looking at his right hand and thinking one day that hand would get very old. That thought made me very sad when I was so little. The night before precious Dad died in his 90th year I was deliberate to hold that same right hand tightly again, now old and frail, remembering that Sunday morning some 50 years before. How precious he was and always will be to me. 

Dad recently said to me in as many if not these exact words, “I’m trusting in Jesus as my Lord and Saviour”.  What a declaration!  His life shaped me in so many ways. There is much I want to emulate about him, by God’s enabling grace. 

I love you so much, my dear Dad. This “Richard Owen Jones” – he’s my Dad. You really are the very best Dad in the whole wide world to me! 

Jude 24, 25.

Love always, Howie

Morgan’s tribute - 

Where would any of us be without our loving and committed Dad? And that’s what comes immediately to my mind when I think about my dad. His support - Dad supported our family in so many ways: From a firm hand (which admittedly I needed) to a loving hug, Dad was always there. He lived, in my mind’s eye, for these things - God, family, and then work. Dad was always there for church, Sunday school picnics, family devotions, Christian boys brigade, family camps at Glen Rocks, building the first ever bright yellow stand-up paddle board, birthday parties and playing capture the flag, and for 6am hockey games in Newmarket. He was there for family trips to England, for support through high school and university and, for me, a constant support of my love of flying and that career road. When I wanted to give up and put my flight bag in the closet, it was my dad who took it out and handed it back to me. Dad was always there and supportive. He let me take one of his cars to Manitoba for my first flying job, because my old Chevette wouldn’t have made it. For years Dad always wanted a call from me when I got back from a trip – even if that call was 30 seconds. Why? That was because in his own way Dad cared deeply about all of us and our families. I think we all knew that if we needed anything, we could ask our dad. None of us lacked for anything. Today, we rest assured that Dad is with his Heavenly Father, for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!

Love you Dad…with much love and gratitude – Charlie

Con't (Michael's Tribute #2)

... When kids and grandkids got new jobs or experienced new things, Dad was keenly interested in every little detail. Dad was especially fond of his great-grandchildren and would often state clearly and plainly that “I love ‘em!” They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. When I saw Dad, I saw eyes that were a combination of strength and kindness. Dad trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. He is now in Heaven with his Saviour, and beloved wife Jeannie! He is and will be forever our dad. He will be greatly missed!

... Con't (Lesley's Tribute)

Dad was a man of integrity and honour: He taught us to revere the things of God. He taught us to be faithful in the worship of God. Dad was also a very determined man: He walked a few hours each day - right up until he had a stroke on Thanksgiving Day.

Dad definitely loved us his kids, of that I am certain, and we loved him.  Later he extended that love to our spouses and then to the grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He loved to see his grandchildren and frequently made a point of calling them,

Dad’s passing is a huge event in our family, and he will be greatly missed.

Lesley’s tribute - 

Lots of texts and messages have come in over the last few weeks. It’s been meaningful to read and hear what others say of our dad. Here are a few: 

“Your dad was a very special man. I remember several conversations with him. I always felt encouraged after a chat with him.” 

“Your dad was a big personality, inspiring lively happiness and good cheer, with a great accent! Always a story to share.”  

And, from a former employee, “He shaped my personal and work ethic at a young age. I am forever grateful for his wisdom.”  

Now to my thoughts: 

Dad was a man of his word! I always knew this throughout my life. I could trust what he said and I could count on it. Dad had a great memory for history and for the details of places he visited. He travelled the world throughout his business career and would often bring us interesting gifts from faraway countries. Dad loved his family! If he was away on business and my brothers were acting up, my mother only had to threaten to call Dad and he would be on the next flight home! They knew he would and that smartened them up. Dad always supported us in our academic pursuits. He believed that education was important. He wanted us to study given that he never had the opportunity to study business formally. I could always ask Dad for advice: He would be honest and direct with his responses. One of Dad’s standard sayings was, “If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s stupidity!” He instilled this in all of us. He attempted to live by it as well. Dad was a great storyteller: He loved to tell us of his adventures in one country or another. He once got very sick when in Iran. When he arrived home, I don’t think we ever realized how close to death he may well have been.   

Con't next post...

Michael’s tribute – When I think over the life of my precious dad, I think of one who was “larger than life.” This is not a thought original to me, but one that I have heard from several people who knew Dad over the years. His presence filled a room, and he was not a man to sit quietly in a corner for very long. But that was a good thing. Dad was a tenacious expert in those things of business and interest to him. I remember a man once saying, “If ROJ is involved in a business, I want in!” To me, one of Dad’s finest achievements was him starting up his Canada-wide medical business. I was amazed that he went through six months of cold-calling and zero results, all the time living off his savings. Of course, we know that in the end he experienced success. What amazed me, though, was his persistence, tenacity, and simply not giving up in the face of month after month of no results. Few men could have done this. Dad was one of the few. Dad was probably the most emotionally tough person I have ever known. Because of this, he did not always understand or accept responses that indicated a lack of resolve or just too much emotion. I had several heart-to-heart conversations with Dad around the fact that not everyone was as strong as him. I think he finally got it. Perhaps he already knew. After all, Dad also had a very kind and tender side to him. I remember him counselling a man in our living room who had just lost his wife, as well as his will to go on. I was amazed at that point just how much empathy and patience Dad demonstrated. Truly, Dad was a man of many sides! Above all, Dad was a man who loved his family! When golf got in the way of family time, it was golf that was dropped. When Mum started to find it difficult to go over to Mayne Island, the cottage went up for sale. When kids and grandkids got new jobs or experienced new things, Dad was keenly interested in every little detail. Dad was especially fond of his great-grandchildren and would often state clearly and p

Captain upgrade…Dad - always one of my greatest supporters!!

First flight - April 1997…always there; always supportive.

We extend our condolences out of respect for your dad and in the certainty of him being right now in the Lord's nearer presence. Richard fully understood unconditional election as totally God-given according to His purposes/pleasure without any works performance on the part of the saints. The glory goes to God and His Christ!

My best memories of Richard were our years at the FPC, Cloverdale. He was a wonderful raconteur and made the evening service hymn singing something very special in that he would often give the congregation a short history of the hymn writers/lyricists. To understand the joys and the sufferings of these men and women meant a lot to me and Virginia. In most cases we saw how puny our problems were in comparison to these spiritual giants. Richard's leading us in that enriching worship during the '90s was surely most appreciated by the rest of the FPC members/adherents.

May the Lord enrich you with fond memories of your dad and all that he has meant to you through your lifetimes. We will pray for Divine comfort to rest over your family.

God bless!

We extend our heartfelt condolences to you and your family. 
May the God of all comfort surround you with His peace and bring you solace in the midst of your grief.  Our prayers are with you.

Our sincere condolences to you all as you grieve the loss of your precious father.  Our hearts are with you all, we shall surely miss Richard.  May the Lord comfort your hearts as we look forward to that Day when we are all united together in our Saviour's presence.  We love you. In Christ, Craig and Jan

Thank you for letting us know re the passing of your Dad. I’m truly sorry to learn that he is no longer with us in this world. However we are assured he is with the Lord as he loved the gospel and trusted the Lord as his Saviour. He was a most remarkable man and always interesting to visit. His care of your dear Mom was outstanding.  
May the Lord comfort your hearts at this time of temporary loss.

So sorry to hear of your dad's passing; yet joyful to know that he is now in the presence of his Lord, and that all of Earth's trials are over. May you treasure each blessed memory of your parents' life here below, and of the mercy granted them and their children by Christ's redeeming work.

I'm so sorry to hear of your father's passing. I have many fond memories of his encouragements, how he always told me stories about his interactions with doctors in his work, and how he told me never to wear my stethoscope around my neck! He was a great man and an exemplary husband and father. It is sweet to know he is with the Lord and we will see him again soon.  Your Dad was very kind to me, and it meant a lot. Soon we will all be together again, with glorified bodies, and no more doctors :) That's the best news ever.  Ewan G

I am so sorry to learn of Richard’s passing. What a  comfort it is to know that he is in a far better place than this wicked, sin filled world. Richard was a great man of God who was not afraid to share with others the wonderful love of God. Please accept and convey to all the family my sincere sympathy at Richard’s passing. May the God of all grace be with and comfort you all in your loss. Kathleen D

Amazing Dad.  Amazing Mum.   Blessed beyond words.

I always had a great chat with him after church service. May God strengthen your family in this time. And may the words of 1 Thessalonians 4:13 ring true in your hearts, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

So happy we reunited last year and shared our wonderful memories!!  He was a wonderful friend and mentor in my early career days. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Lots of love. Beverley 💔🥰

Our sincere condolences on the loss of a very special person. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. Lots of love. 
Beverley & Mark Silverman , Lisa Eller.

OBITUARY

Richard Owen Jones

20 April, 1934 – 17 November, 2024

Victory Memorial Park & Funeral Centre

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