Active citizen in town endeavors

Published in the March 22, 2018 edition

NORTH READING — Kenneth M. Jones, 89, of North Reading, died Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Sunrise Assisted Living in Lynnfield. He was the beloved husband of the late Nathalie J. (Pratt) Jones.

Born in North Reading on September 9, 1928, he was the son of the late Elmer and Janet (Spear) Jones.

He was a lifelong resident of North Reading. He attended North Reading Public Schools and was a graduate of Reading High School, Class of 1947. Ken served as a member of the Finance Committee, North Reading Rotary Club , the Police Station Building Committee, and was a Call Department member for the North Reading Fire Department from 1946 to 1961. He was the Vice President of the New England Rose Society, a member of the American Rose Society, and Rhode Island Rose Society.

Ken worked at the family owned store, Jones Brothers, and he owned the Candlewood Lanes in North Reading in the 60’s and 70’s. He sold real estate in North Reading, as well as in the Bahamas, for Columbus Landings. He also worked in production and sales for his brother, Elmer, at E.J. Systems in Lawrence.

He was the man that everyone went to when they were in trouble or in need. He would quietly help them in any way he could. He was the guy that would give you the shirt off his back or his last dollar without question or expecting anything in return.

Ken loved to read and watch the Red Sox and Patriots. He loved to sail with his wife on his brother Elmer’s and sister-in-law Ginny’s sailboat. He also loved spending many hours in his rose garden.

Family members include his loving sons, David Ross and his wife Bonnie, Paul Jones and his wife Joanne, and the late Myron Jones; daughters, Tracy Countie and her husband John, Kelly Spina and her husband Anthony, and Leslie Ann Rogers and her husband Carl; brothers, Elmer Jones and his wife Virginia and the late Melvin Jones and his wife Janice; sisters, Muriel Titus, Dorothy Tompkins and her late husband Tedda, and the late Janet Roberts and her late husband Walter; 13 grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren.

His funeral was held at the Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading, on Tuesday, March 20. Calling hours were held at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading, on Monday, March 19. Burial in Riverside Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to: the charity of one’s choice. www.croswellfuneralhome.com.