Lyle Ellard Brian Jones

It is with the greatest sorrow that Lyle's family and friends share his loss. He passed in his home Thursday, December 7th, 2023, with his beautiful kitty, Dmitri, by his side. Lyle was a generous brother, son, uncle, cousin, friend, AA sponsor, spouse and partner, and beloved by so many friends and family. He was a southern Alberta boy, and always spoke fondly of his days at the ranch near Pincher Creek and his high school and university days in Lethbridge, Alberta. He was a singer, a social worker, an animal activist, a LGBTQ rights activist, a leftist political activist, a waiter, and a scholar.

He fought for LGBTQ rights for decades, and was delighted when same-sex marriage came to BC in 2003. He married his ex spouse, James, in 2003, and they became one of the first couples in the province to do so under the new law. He was an avid animal lover, having owned many kitties over the years. He struggled in many ways, but was generally grateful and happy, despite his challenges. Family members prefer to think of his successes in life, rather than his sorrows. He leaves behind so many legacies.

He recruited quality foster parents, helped brain injured clients reintegrate into their families and communities, and he helped male sex workers survive their struggles through United Church outreach work. He was a waiter without compare for the Fairmont chain of hotels and the Vancouver Convention Centre. He travelled extensively through the US and Europe with Up with People, with vacations in Hawaii, Russia, Colombia, France, and Italy. Recently, he was enjoying taking undergrad classes at SFU and UBC. He was a lifelong learner. He knew much sorrow and loss, having been predeceased by his father, the Reverend Brian Jones, his sister Linda, his brothers Tim and Stephen, his aunties Kaye Phillips and Lorraine Parton, his cousin Sharon Alberda, his brother in law, Paul Nault, his former partner Gerald Beaulieu, and a lifetime of beloved pets. He is survived by his mother, Mrs. Peggy Jones, Duncan, BC, his brother Tom Jones, Nanaimo, BC, his Aunt Marion Gray, Calgary, Alberta, his nieces Stephanie and Kaitlin Nault, Cobble Hill, BC, many cousins and aunties, ex spouse James Sanyshyn, New Westminster, BC and his ex partner Diego Alejandro, Winnipeg, BC.

Please do consider supporting VOKRA - Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association, who has taken care of his beautiful Dmitri and since succeeded in placing him in a new forever home. They are angels and a no kill shelter. If family decides to hold a Celebration of Life, it will be announced on social media.

Lyle's wit, his singing, his rants, his generosity, his passion for learning - all shall be missed. He is now with the ancestors. Rest in power.