- Kenneth Gary Jones passed away on August 11th, 2014 in Saint Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. He is the son of Joan (Sigsworth) Jones, and the late Thomas Jones. Born in Sherbrooke, Quebec on August 19th, 1951, Ken spent his childhood years moving from town to town in Nova Scotia. At the age of 7 he moved to Bridgetown where he would spend the next 10 years of his life, much of which included being the ring leader of the notorious "Church Street Gang". Being the brains of the operation, Ken lead the group in such wholesome activities as raiding neighbors gardens, knocking on doors and running, as well as a less traditional (and much more dangerous) game called "dummy in the road". At the age of 16, Ken moved with his family to Yarmouth, where he lived until graduating from high school, and going off to university. After a year of studies, Ken decided to leave university to explore and work in various places. During his travels, he gained many unique and life shaping experiences in many different places, such as Happy Valley in Labrador (which, it turns out, is not so happy), as well as the Arctic. Ken returned to university a few years later where he majored in history and completed his Bachelor of Arts at Acadia University, and went on to complete his Masters degree and studied for his PhD at the University of New Brunswick.
After his studies, Ken landed a job as a lecturer on Canadian and American history at Acadia University. From there he worked with the Department of Education, and would later start his own business, Acadia Consultants Inc. Although this business was highly successful, he later opted to take a more secure position with the Nova Scotia Community College as Community Education & Training Officer. Ken remained with the college for 25 years, working his way up and creating success in such positions as Dean of Customized Training, Dean of Business Development, and retiring as Dean of Flexible Learning.
Ken was known for so many things; his intelligence, sharp wit, leadership skills, honesty, integrity, and his caring nature. He always put the needs of others before his own, and many people came to him if they needed advice they could rely on, or just someone to confide in. Those who knew him adored his wonderful sense of humour. Email exchanges between the siblings often left everyone in tears with laughter, and the annual "sibling retreats" were filled with laughs, jokes and stories. Ken had an uncanny ability to create unique and quirky nicknames for friends, family and colleagues. Also, like his father before him, Ken carried on a Jones tradition of pranks and practical joking with his siblings, friends and his children; those who have been at the receiving end know the devilish smile that Ken would have on his face after a successful practical joke.
Ken had many passions in life; he loved a good Cuban cigar, blues music, being on the beach, and sports of any kind. Basketball was one of his favorite sports to watch and to play. He suffered many bruises and sprained fingers playing basketball with his "weekend warrior" league. He loved baseball, and was a diehard Blue Jays fan and would claim at the beginning of every season that this was "going to be their year". He enjoyed watching movies, and loved to share quotes and inside jokes from different movies with those who had the same sense of humour that he did. He loved music, and was a drummer for a band called the Saints & Sinners in his younger days (even though he messed up their colour scheme). To this day drumming was a passion of his, as he was often drumming to a beat (sometimes in his head) on the arms of his chair, or the steering wheel while driving.
Of all of Ken's passions in life, his family was the most important. He was a wonderful brother to five siblings, an outstanding and amazing father of two, and very recently, a new grandfather. Ken loved his family more than life itself, and would have done anything for them. They meant the world to him, as he did, and still does, to them.
There will be a visitation which will be held on Friday, August 22, 2014, from 6-9 pm at the White Family Funeral Home in Kentville. There will also be a celebration of his life for family and close friends to be held at a later date. There will be no formal funeral service.
Ken's final act of selflessness was that he chose to be an organ donor. Even after his passing, he is still putting the needs of others first, and saving lives in the process. Rest in peace Ken. We know you are in your glory, on a beach somewhere enjoying a good Cuban cigar. We love you, and you will be, and already are, dearly missed.
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1951 - 2014 (62 years)
