Obituary for James Raymond "Jimmy" Jones Jr.
BERWICK
James Raymond Jones Jr, 74, a lifetime resident of Berwick, died Monday, November 23, 2020 at his residence following a brief illness.
Jimmy to all who knew and loved him, was born October 5, 1946 in Rochester NH, the son of James Raymond and Thelma R. Farnum Jones, and is a graduate of Berwick High School, where he was a standout athlete.
Soon after graduating, he entered the US Army, and while stationed in Washington DC, served as lead pall bearer during the services for President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Upon his discharge, he travelled to California, but the lure of Maine and his Berwick roots called him home. He entered the University of Maine Presque Isle to become a teacher, and within a semester of graduating, realized that teaching was not to be his life’s calling. He returned home, and following his dreams, in 1974 opened Jimmy Jones Locker in Somersworth then Rochester, NH, , a seafood restaurant that he successfully owned and operated until 2019.
Using his desire to have a positive impact on youth in his community, Jimmy melded his deep love of sports to begin coaching youth leagues in Berwick, Pee Wee football, Little League Baseball, Basketball were his favorite sports to coach at many levels, and when he wasn’t coaching, he would umpire and referee various games, including his daughters basketball games at Seacoast Christian School and his sons’ at Noble High School. Many of his former players considered him the underground mayor of Berwick, as he had a way of getting things done behind the scenes. For his incredible work with the youth of Berwick, Pee Wee Football created the Jimmy Jones Award, which he quipped when he first heard about it was “well, I’m not dead yet!”
Survivors include his loving wife Sylnor Ocana of Berwick, sons Nathan James Jones of Berwick, Patrick Jones of Concord, NH, Mathew Twitty of Berwick, Thomas Poblador and Matthew Poblador, both of Berwick, daughters Missy Gover and her husband Walter of Winter Park, FL, and Becky Jones of Berwick, two grandchildren, Walter James Gover of Baltimore, MD and Mason Joseph Gover of Winter Park, FL, a brother Rusty Jones and his wife Sharon and a nephew Tyler Jones, all of Carmel IN.
Due to Covid safety concerns, a summertime celebration with military honors will be held and announced by Laing Bibber Funeral Home.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to MSAD #60/Jimmy Jones Fund, PO Box 819, North Berwick, ME. 03906 to help the school assist students with special equipment or needs.
James Raymond Jones Jr, 74, a lifetime resident of Berwick, died Monday, November 23, 2020 at his residence following a brief illness.
Jimmy to all who knew and loved him, was born October 5, 1946 in Rochester NH, the son of James Raymond and Thelma R. Farnum Jones, and is a graduate of Berwick High School, where he was a standout athlete.
Soon after graduating, he entered the US Army, and while stationed in Washington DC, served as lead pall bearer during the services for President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Upon his discharge, he travelled to California, but the lure of Maine and his Berwick roots called him home. He entered the University of Maine Presque Isle to become a teacher, and within a semester of graduating, realized that teaching was not to be his life’s calling. He returned home, and following his dreams, in 1974 opened Jimmy Jones Locker in Somersworth then Rochester, NH, , a seafood restaurant that he successfully owned and operated until 2019.
Using his desire to have a positive impact on youth in his community, Jimmy melded his deep love of sports to begin coaching youth leagues in Berwick, Pee Wee football, Little League Baseball, Basketball were his favorite sports to coach at many levels, and when he wasn’t coaching, he would umpire and referee various games, including his daughters basketball games at Seacoast Christian School and his sons’ at Noble High School. Many of his former players considered him the underground mayor of Berwick, as he had a way of getting things done behind the scenes. For his incredible work with the youth of Berwick, Pee Wee Football created the Jimmy Jones Award, which he quipped when he first heard about it was “well, I’m not dead yet!”
Survivors include his loving wife Sylnor Ocana of Berwick, sons Nathan James Jones of Berwick, Patrick Jones of Concord, NH, Mathew Twitty of Berwick, Thomas Poblador and Matthew Poblador, both of Berwick, daughters Missy Gover and her husband Walter of Winter Park, FL, and Becky Jones of Berwick, two grandchildren, Walter James Gover of Baltimore, MD and Mason Joseph Gover of Winter Park, FL, a brother Rusty Jones and his wife Sharon and a nephew Tyler Jones, all of Carmel IN.
Due to Covid safety concerns, a summertime celebration with military honors will be held and announced by Laing Bibber Funeral Home.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to MSAD #60/Jimmy Jones Fund, PO Box 819, North Berwick, ME. 03906 to help the school assist students with special equipment or needs.