Brian Jones

Brian Jones, a devoted father, husband, and lifelong Temiscaming resident, died on August 14, 2026, at the age of 90.

Brian wasn’t a man of many words, but instead a man of many quiet and consistent acts of kindness. He served the people around him without being asked and without wanting notice or credit. His Catholic faith was an important source of strength during his life. He made everyone who crossed his path feel seen and heard; whether on a sheet of ice, on the beach at Crescent Lodge, or in a classroom or principal's office. He was a natural athlete, and hockey was the thread that ran through his whole life. He enjoyed the sport as a player, a coach, and as the man in stripes who kept the game fair. He was respected and admired across the town he never left and loved most by the people who knew him best.

Brian’s family was the centre of his life. Growing up, he left his hockey career to support his mother after the death of his father. This quiet, loving priority grew into the beautiful life he built with his wife of 63 years, his soul mate Gerry. Soundtracked by Gerry’s singing voice and Brian’s one-liners, their love was quiet and strong; it steadies us still. It anchored a life built around family, friends and community; a life where his mentorship was vast and his acts of kindness inspired many others.

He met Geraldine Fitzpatrick while at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick, where he captained both the football and hockey teams and was inducted into their inaugural hall of fame. He went on to earn a Master of Education from the University of Toronto, studying through the summers while he taught and raised his family. Brian worked as a teacher, principal, and guidance counsellor during his forty plus year career in education. He knew and remembered each of his students that passed through his care. His commitment to the young people of the town, and to the teachers and administrators he worked alongside, was absolute. His community service reached well beyond the school. He sat on town council, laced up as a referee, coached, and helped keep the local sports leagues running. With all of that, some of his favorite moments were simply watching his son coach and his grandchildren play.

Brian’s summers belonged to Crescent Lodge, where he will be remembered best and happiest; it may be the truest thing he left his family: fish frys and singalongs, campfires and beach days, and long afternoons floating down Lake Temiscaming. Some years the whole family piled into the station wagon, dog and all, and drove east to New Brunswick to visit the Fitzpatricks.

For all his quiet, he loved to laugh, and he loved making the rest of us laugh even more. His humour was dry and perfectly timed, a one liner slipped in with a straight face, so it caught you a beat later. He never met a party he didn't enjoy, especially if Gerry was leading a singsong. The thoughtful side and the playful side were never far apart. He kept Werther's candies and Altoids in his pocket and handed them out with a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous grin.

Throughout his life he handed his greatest passions down to his children without ever making a lesson of it. Teaching with Tara. Math and puzzles with Krista. Hockey with Casey. Each of his children carries his values and something he loved, as do his grandchildren — everyone of whom is certain they were his favourite. His sons and daughter in laws, Tom, Murray and Kim, all remember him as second father. He remains a powerful role model for all of us in showing up for our families and greater communities with love and compassion.

Brian is much missed by his adoring family: his beloved wife, Geraldine Fitzpatrick Jones; his deeply loved children, Tara Jones Brazeau (Tom), Krista Jones (Murray), and Casey Jones (Kim); his cherished grandchildren, Erin, Quinn, Ali, Luke, Malone, Gabrielle, and Bryan; his brother, Keith (Joan); his sister, Ann (Ed); and his second families, the Gagnes and the Fitzpatricks.

He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Ann Jones; his sisters, Maris Gagne and Faye Jones; his sisters-in-law, Joan Jones and Donna McLean; and his nephew, Tim Gagne.

A service to celebrate Brian's life is being planned for August 24th at Témiscaming Church at 11h00 and the funeral at 12h00. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you do a kindness for a neighbour. It's what he would have done.