Obituary of Arthur Gerard Jones

Arthur Gerard Jones (known by his closest friends as “Bones”), beloved father, husband, and friend, passed away on April 11th, 2024 at the age of 71. He leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and unwavering strength. Born on January 14th,1953 in Sydney, Arthur was the son of David and Louise Jones. He had one older sibling Francis. He grew up on Mira Road and attended Riverview Rural High, where he excelled academically and formed lifelong friendships. Arthur was in financial management and worked tirelessly to help provide for his family. Whether he was in the office or at home, he approached life with integrity and a strong work ethic. One of his greatest achievements was obtaining his pilot’s license through Air Cadets in which he was given the rank of Second Lieutenant. Outside of work, Arthur had a passion for sports and the outdoors. He enjoyed being active but loved hockey and played it for many years. Those who knew him best remember his time in Junior A and later on in the beer league. He particularly loved helping coach his two sons in hockey when they were younger. He was in a dart league. He volunteered as a Cubs leader to spend time with his sons. He was an historical buff and fascinated with events that took place during World War 1 and 2. Genealogy was something he was very interested in. He wanted to know where he came from and who his ancestors were. He loved to travel and was able to see a lot of North America with his family throughout the years. When his children were old enough, he would use his vacation time to either explore Eastern Canada or drive down the east coast of the US to Florida and go camping along the way. Him and his wife Colleen spent a short time in the Bahamas in the early years of their marriage and in the later years often flew to Mexico where they would have many wonderful times together. He took pride in being able to visit his son Brian and his wife Christine and two granddaughters (Madeline and Allie) in Alberta. He backpacked to parts of Europe with his friend Jim and even visited South Korea where his son, David, his wife, Jisuk, and grandson (Brandon) currently reside. However, a great deal of his time he spent in Cape Breton. For many years he found refuge at his cottage on the Mira. It was his little piece of paradise and pretty much everyone was invited to share it with him. Arthur was a devoted husband to Colleen, and together they shared 49 years of love, laughter, and cherished memories. He was a loving father to David and Brian, always there to offer guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear. His grandchildren Brandon, Madeline and Alexandra (Allie) brought immense joy to his life. He had many other relatives, including aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces of whom he loved and kept in touch with throughout his life. As well, there were others who, even though weren’t directly related, were just as important to him and considered family none the less. Arthur's warm smile, sense of humor, and unwavering support will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the memories he created. Friends and family often sought Arthur's advice. His wisdom was grounded in kindness, empathy, and a deep understanding of human nature. He believed in the power of compassion and taught us all to embrace life’s challenges with grace, resilience and especially forgiveness Arthur had a lot of love to give. He loved his family and his friends and had a great affection for all animals. Above all, he cherished his family. His love for Colleen, Brian, David and Brandon, Madeline, and Alexandra (Allie) knew no bounds. He created countless memories during family gatherings, holidays, and quiet moments at home. His legacy of love will forever echo in our hearts. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of T.J. Tracey Cremation and Burial Specialists, 6 Churchill Drive, Sydney, NS, 902-539-7175. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, April 16, 2-4 pm in the funeral home followed by a memorial service to celebrate Arthur's life at 4 pm in the chapel, Rev. Sheldon Chant officiating. Words of condolence may be made to the family by visiting www.tjtracey.com.