1925 - 2019
PORTLAND - Frederick Austin Jones Sr., 94, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 3, 2019. He was born in Mars Hill, Maine on March 24, 1925, the son of the late William M. and Etta (Currier) Jones.
At age 17, Fred moved to Bangor and went on to become a United States Marine at age 18. He fought in the Pacific during World War II with the 2nd Marine Division, and received a medal for valor and a Purple Heart. After the war ended, he moved back to Bangor and married Barbara Walls in 1946. Fred worked for Border Express, later becoming Maine Border Freightways. In 1958 he was promoted to Terminal Manager in the Boston area. In 1961 he moved back to Maine, settling in Portland. Fred went on to work in the auto parts business and started the Pine Tree Insurance Agency with his partner Ray Chick. After about 10-12 years, Fred got back in the trucking business, starting Transport Sales and Leasing. He opened 6 locations in Maine and New Hampshire over the next 8-10 years. While filling in for one of his sales people who was on vacation, Fred was involved in a head on collision with a tractor trailer truck that almost ended his life, forcing him into an early retirement.
Fred was an active outdoorsman for most of his life, spending a lot of time fishing all over Maine at his beloved hunting camp on Beddington Lake in Washington County that still stands today and is owned and enjoyed by his grandsons Fred III and Ryan Jones.
Fred was married to Barbara, his first wife and Mother of his son and daughter for 54 years and passed away in 1999.
Fred met Nancy Bernard who became the love of his life. They were married in 2013 and were still married at the time of his passing.
Fred was a member of the Rising Virtue #10, Masonic Lodge of Bangor, Maine; A 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite Masons; a member of the Kora Temple Shrine in Lewiston; and also a Past Worthy Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star in Carmel, Maine.
Fred leaves behind his wife Nancy; her children Debbie Frame, Chris Bernard, and Gretchen Quatticci; his daughter Marilyn Fitzgerald and son Fred Jones Jr; his grandchildren Fred Jones III, Ryan Jones, Janet Dean, Jennifer Fitzgerald, Grace and Caleb Quatticci; his great grandchildren, Amanda, Randy, Elizabeth, Fred IV (Austin), Asher and Isla, and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; his 5 siblings, Peter, Gordon, William, Glenn and Phyllis; and his granddaughter, Sarah Frame.
Fred's family would like to thank the staff at Seaside Nursing Home in Portland for their exceptional care and support during his final days, and a special thank you to Caitlyn, Addy, Dare, Laurie, Nikki and Brianna.
Friends and family are invited to share their memories and offer their condolences by visiting Fred's online guestbook at www.lindquistfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fred’s memory to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104
