John J. Jones

John J. Jones, age 52, passed away at Norwood Hospital on Monday, February 18, 2019.  Born in Norwood, Massachusetts on November 28, 1966, he was the son of Robert A. and Rosemarie (Cunnally) Jones.  He spent his younger years in Dedham, Massachusetts before his family settled in Medfield in 1979.  John went on to graduate from Medfield High School with the Class of 1985 and continued his education at Emerson College.  While in college, he worked at his family’s restaurant, Brick Oven Pizza/BJ’s Restaurant, in Dedham.  He earned his bachelor’s degree from Emerson in 1989 in Mass Communications and had a brief but brilliant career as a DJ on WECB.

 

In 1990, John took a letter carrier’s position with the United States Postal Service, based out of the Medfield Post Office.  He made his home in Foxborough for about six years before settling in Walpole, Massachusetts in 1997. 

 

John was an avid Boston Bruins fan throughout his life, cheering for them whenever he could and booing them when they deserved it…especially some crowd favorites that might surprise you.  Given the time, he would tell you about the greatness of Bobby Orr, the legacy the “Ultimate Bruin” Milt Schmidt, the heroic fisticuffs of Terry O’Reilly and of his own career patrolling the right wing for the Medfield Ice Warriors.

 

He loved playing golf on Tuesday nights at Royal Crest in Walpole with his beloved Kate.  Tending bar at the Shamrock in Norwood on Monday and Wednesday nights.  Jamming with his Irish power folk trio, Banshee Howl (consisting of only 2 members) and making his deliveries to friends new and old along his mail route in Medfield.  Johnny never missed his annual vacations and golf trips with childhood friends and lit up any room he walked into.

 

His lifelong passion was music.  He loved the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead, Stevie Ray Vaughan, blues legends, various Irish artists, and was always trying to get his friends and family to appreciate the music he loved so much.  Keith Richards was his hero and its hard to believe that he passed before Keith.  (people will be saying that for decades) He idolized Jerry Garcia and spent countless hours learning songs and strumming guitar.

 

Most of all, Johnny loved being surrounded by those he loved so dearly.  He had a wonderful sense of humor that entertained everyone he met, and he was quietly generous with his time and resources, helping anyone in need.  If you knew Johnny, chances are he helped you move, raked some leaves, painted a room or just lent an open ear when needed.  Over the last dozen years, he adored spending time with his niece, nephew and other children of friends and relatives who quickly became the next generation of Johnny Jones fans, largely due to hearing his go-to jokes for the first time.

 

Devoted son of Rosemarie (Cunnally) Jones of Foxborough and the late Robert A. Jones.

Beloved partner of Kate Kelly of Walpole.

Loving brother of Janice M. Jones of Foxborough and Robert A. Jones and his wife Lisa of Beverly.

Cherished uncle of Devyn Jones and Zachary Jones both of Beverly.

Nephew of Kenneth Jones of Norwood, Thomas Cunnally of Foxborough, and Agnes Brown of Fairfax, Virginia.

John will be dearly missed by his extended family and friends.

 

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend John’s Life Celebration on Friday, February 22, 2019 from 4 to 8 PM and Saturday, February 23, 2019 from 9 to 9:30 AM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 10:00 AM.  Interment will follow in Mount Benedict Cemetery in West Roxbury.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, 27 W. Anapamu Street, Suite 177, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.