Mr. John David Jones

February 15, 1918 – December 26, 2017

Celebration of Life

Sunday, January 28, 2018 | 2:30pm

North Lonsdale United Church

3380 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, British Columbia

John Jones passed away peacefully on Boxing Day in North Vancouver, after spending Christmas Day surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his wife, Violet, in 2013, after 73 years of marriage. John was born in 1918 in Twickenham, Middlesex, into a railroading family, originating in North Wales. Despite humble beginnings, John was a scholarship student at Hampton Grammar; after graduation, he followed the family tradition of working for the railways.

In August 1940, at the peak of the Blitz, John married Violet. Their two children, Sylvia and David, were born during the war. After the War, John went into business with Vi’s two brothers in a small furniture business in Richmond. As post war economics were tough, the family immigrated to Vancouver in 1956. Arriving with very little money and no contacts, the gutsy couple quickly found work and built a successful life in Vancouver; they built Kew Cottage, their dream house in North Vancouver, in 1964, and lived there very happily for the next 44 years.

Beginning as a book-keeper, John rose to be General Manager of Forest Lawn, later part of SCI, retiring in 1983 with 26 years of service. He then stayed on as a Director of SCI for an additional astonishing 34 years, which speaks volumes to the special regard in which he was held by the company.

John and Vi travelled often, especially to Hawaii, which they loved. When their immediate family had to move away from Vancouver for whatever reason, they always came to visit: so followed trips to Canterbury, Mississauga, Houston (BC), Rossland, Canim Lake, and St. Johns (NL). Regular trips to see family in England were biennial from the 70s onward. They also managed two lengthy sea cruises to the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. All his trips included detailed itineraries which John took special pleasure in planning.

As well as a large circle of friends and family, many in the United Church, John also enjoyed card/board games, reading, sports, gardening, and especially fishing for trout in the BC Interior. Despite suffering from repeated hip operations, John never slowed down.

A loving family man, John leaves his children, Sylvia (Eric) and David (Susan), five grandchildren, Kjerstin (Charlie), Bjørn (Joanna), Meghan (Lawrence), Amy and Rachel (Tim), and eleven great-children, Chelsea, Aylish, Anja, Landseer, Acesea, Lachlan, Maeve, Jacob, Esme, Bronwyn and Margaret.

A Celebration of his Life will be held at North Lonsdale United Church, 3380 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver on Sunday, January 28th, 2018 at 2:30 PM.