Gerald "Jerry" Jones

Gerald Charles "Jerry" Jones, 84, of Collegeville (Skippack Township), PA, died peacefully March 28, 2020, at his home, surrounded by his family. Jerry was born December 21, 1935, in West Haven, CT, and was the devoted husband of Barbara Mae (George) "Bob" Jones for more than 56 years until her death on April 5, 2013. He is survived by their 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.

All 5 children were also born in Connecticut. While working full-time, Jerry took college classes at night and earned his bachelor's degree from Quinnipiac College. After the family moved to Basking Ridge, NJ in 1968, Jerry pursued his MBA, also during night classes, from Seton Hall University.

As parishioners of Saint James Catholic Church in Basking Ridge, Jerry and Bob gained a new outlook on their lives as faith- and family-centered models for marriage after becoming involved in Worldwide Marriage Encounter. For many years, the pair gave weekend talks all over the state to couples seeking better ways to communicate and enrich their own marriages; Jerry & Bob embraced their roles as a leadership couple.

During summers, extended family gatherings were held most weekends at the Cottage, that was built by a lake in Connecticut in 1947. It was crafted under the strict supervision of his grandfather and father with his 2 brothers when Jerry was 12 years old. As the Jerry Jones clan expanded, the family travelled all over the Northeast, all 7 camping in one tent. The lifetime highlight was several memorable weeks spent in motels (a first!) and a Pace Arrow RV while travelling cross-country. Jerry coached Bernards Township Recreational League youth baseball. He was a lifelong Boston Red Sox baseball fan and New York Giants football fan.

Jerry's worklife began while he was in high school by climbing telephone poles for Western Electric. He spent his entire career with the Bell System - working for Western Electric, AT&T, and Lucent Technologies over a span of 5 decades in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York City. He rose through the ranks in Human Resources, retiring from the New Providence, NJ, Lucent headquarters in the mid '90s.

Post-retirement, Jerry served as parish administrator managing the fundraising and renovation for Saint Joseph Catholic Church & Parish Center in East Millstone, NJ. As retirees, Jerry and Bob fulfilled one dream of traveling all over the world with friends and family—Europe, Canada, the Far East, Australia, and throughout the US; and a second dream of retiring to "the Shore", living in Spring Lake and Brick, NJ for several years—since both had grown up on the Connecticut shoreline—they'd envisioned owning a boat and returning to life near the water. But the lure of grandchildren in Pennsylvania brought them to Collegeville to be closer to attend school and sports activities and family fun times. Both were devoted to family and their faith as parishioners of Saint Eleanor's Catholic Church.

Even as a child, Jerry loved singing. During his retirement years, he was a proud member of the Norristown Chorale and indulged his other hobby - golf, by coordinating the golf league in his neighborhood community. After his wife's death, Jerry traveled in the US with his brother, Ron, and spent his winter months in Naples and Orlando, FL, where he enjoyed playing golf and hosting visits from family and friends.

In addition to Barbara, Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Josephine Werle Jones; his stepmother, Elsie Frawley Jones; his older brother, Arthur; his mother-in-law, Rose George; his brother-in-law, Dennis George; and a grandchild, Noelle Burke.

Survivors: Jerry is lovingly remembered by his brother, Ronald (Ronnie) and wife Paula Jones of Orange, CT; sister-in-law Elizabeth (Liz) Jones of Sarasota, FL; sister-in-law Arline George of Fort Mill, SC; Jerry's children: Lynn (and Rick) Sample of Collegeville, PA; Doug (and Lila) Jones of Warrington, PA; Brian (and Jackie) Jones of Coopersburg, PA; Kevin (and Andy) Jones of Newark, NJ; Lisa Burke of Quakertown, PA; and Ken Burke of Quakertown, PA.

Grandpa/Poppy is also missed by his 11 grandchildren: Kierstin Sample Pennington and husband Larry Pennington III of Cape Cod, MA; Marisa Jones and husband Peter Sneeringer of Philadelphia; Jess Jones and Daniel Jones, both of Philadelphia; Luke Jones of Charleston, SC; Chelsea and Amanda Jones, both of Philadelphia; Katie and Declan Burke, both of North Wales, PA; and Olivia and Jack Burke, both of Quakertown, PA, and his 3 great-grandchildren: Larry Pennington IV and Brielle Pennington of Cape Cod and Marina Snoñes of Philadelphia.

He will be fondly remembered for his good humor, generous spirit, gentle advice, and great smile. His memory will be graciously toasted with Beefeater martinis ("extra dry, on the rocks, with a twist") by scores of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and wonderful friends.

Services: Funeral Mass was held Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at 10:30 AM at Saint Eleanor Catholic Church in Collegeville.

Contributions: Memorial contributions may be made to honor Jerry who donated regularly to help the poor, hungry, and lonely, to Catholic Social Services (CSS) of Philadelphia.

Updated 7/16/2020. If you would like to make a memorial donation in Jerry's name, please mail to: Catholic Social Services, 222 North 17th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. A favor, please ask them to send an acknowledgment to the family, otherwise they only send a letter to you and we want to thank you. Family Address: 758 Village Avenue, Collegeville, PA 19426  OR use the online donation tool https://cssphiladelphia.org/donate and note in the comment box to send an acknowledgment to the family so we can thank you.