George T.L. Jones (Ret’d)
JONES, George TL “Taffy” – We sadly announce today the passing of our father, George, at The Fairmount Home, at the age of 91.
He was born in the town of Maesteg of the Llynfi Valley, South Wales, UK. – an ironworks and coal mining district.
Early in his life he experienced the usual lot of his generation – economic hardship and World War II.
He was predeceased by his wife of 69 years Winnie, his parents Arthur and Blodwen Jones, brother Ron and sister Alice.
He will be dearly missed by his family: son Peter (Margot), daughters Gillian Graham (Rick) and Kimberley Murphy (Mark), granddaughters Hailey (Kevin) and Tess, brother Tony and many additional family members.
George served in the British Army in India in 1945 just prior to the end of World War II, with further tours in Burma, Malaya, and Singapore.
He disliked the damp climate of Wales and in 1953 he joined the Canadian Army, and emigrated to Canada with Winnie and their 2 small children in Oct. 1954; settling in a farmhouse he had rented on the Mount Chesney Road just north of Kingston.
Further postings included a UN tour to Gaza, Halifax, Ottawa, and finally Kingston again. While with the Heavy Line Troop of the Royal Canadian Signals Regiment, he worked from coast to coast and as far north as Ellesmere Island and overseas to Lahr Germany.
George retired from the military in 1976 at the rank of Warrant Officer and then took a job with Corrections Canada until age 65, working at Kingston Penitentiary.
George and Winnie purchased a house in 1976 on Sutherland Dr. where they lived for the next 40 years. During that time they were generous hosts many times to visiting family and friends from overseas.
George enjoyed reading – subjects that covered the mind and spirituality, world affairs, politics, documentaries, automobiles, and science.
He could have strong views on subjects and was also known to be able to talk the leg off a chair.
He enjoyed the cultures he encountered during his early years in the Far East.
Here he witnessed severe deprivation and poverty firsthand and it coloured his view of the world.
He was known to be charitable – whether it be giving chocolates and cigarettes to Kosovo refugees in Kingston or supporting organizations such as Amnesty International, Operation Eyesight, and local organizations such as the Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre.
The family would like to thank all the staff at The Fairmount Home for their splendid care of our father and for the “Gentle care philosophy” that they practice.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Tomkins Funeral Home on Friday March 2 from 2-4 pm.
“How green was my Valley then, and the Valley of them that have gone”.
Mr. Jones’ obituary can be viewed at the following link:
http://canadianobituaries.com/kingston/87309-george-jones-february-24-2018.html