Robert Jones

Robert "Bob" Walter Jones, 82 of Orlando, Florida and Virginia Beach, Virginia went to be with the Lord peacefully after a short but fierce battle with Pancreatic Cancer on June 22, 2016. He was in Virginia under Hospice care at the time of his death.

Bob was born in Newark, New Jersey on December 25th, 1933 to James and Frances (Young) Jones. He grew up in Belleville, New Jersey where he met his life-long best friend Bob Martin. The stories that were told about the numerous shenanigans the two of these "kids" got into were endless! After high school, Bob was drafted into the Army where he served for 2 years active and 4 years in the Reserve. During this time he married his first wife Jean (Gabriel) and had a son.

After the Army, Bob and Jean divorced and he went to work as a driver for Sunshine Fruit Juice Company, where he met Tom Mulhall, they too became lifetime friends. Bob always said that "you were lucky to have one good friend in this world, and I am blessed, because I have two!" The three of them raised families that were a big part of the "Jones" family. Many fond memories were made because of these two friendships.

Bob opened a restaurant, The Red Barn, in Towaco, New Jersey. He met Loretta Connell and married on August 16, 1969. They had three children. Due to a fire, the restaurant closed, and he went back to school, earned his Credit Management certification, and began his career with Quaker State Oil. He worked for them for 19 years until his early retirement, after which they moved to Orlando, Florida. He took several part time jobs until landing a job with Atlas Roll-lite, and subsequently Foamex.

The family lived in Belleville, Buttzville & Ogdensburg, New Jersey, Oil City, Pennsylvania & Orlando, Florida. In addition to Virginia Beach, Bob also lived in Saratoga Springs, New York & Marysville, Washington.

He was a Freemason for 61 years and Past Master of Copestone-Ophir (formerly Belleville) Lodge F&AM # 108 in New Jersey. He was also an active member in both Kempsville Lodge #196 in Virginia, and Winterpark Lodge #239 in Florida. Bob was a Senior DeMolay recipient of Chevalier, Representative DeMolay, and Legion of Honor degrees. He served as an advisor in numerous Chapters. He is a Member of Honor for Job's Daughters International, in both Bethel 42 (Virginia Beach) and Bethel 5 (Daytona), as well as Bethel Beau Emeritus for Bethel 42. They both were high honors for him. He was lovingly referred to as Dad PopPop by countless youth in the Masonic Youth Organizations across several states.

He was a prolific story teller accented by almost epic comedic timing and had a great sense of humor. His love, kindness, and compassion were well known. He had a bright personality and an infectious laugh. It was never a dull moment with Bob, and all time spent with him, was a great time.

During the short time he was under the care of hospice, he became a favorite patient of all the nurses who would actually argue who would care for him that day. During the short illness we were all encouraged by his faith in our Lord and where he would be going. Also, he never once complained about the changes that were quickly ravaging his body. He was an inspiration to everyone who witnessed this. The family would like to thank the nurses of Westminster-Canterbury Hospice for their compassion, love, and care they provided Bob as well as the family during this difficult time.

He will be sorely missed by all his family

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, wife Loretta, & 5 of his 6 siblings. He is survived by his sister Helen, his children, Robert, Daniel (Irena), Scott (Sharon Lowrey), Marta (Justin) Gray, 7 grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Jobs Daughters International: Bethels 5 Daytona Beach, FL / 42 Virginia Beach, VA or DeMolay International: South Seminole Chapter (FL) / Kempsville Chapter (VA) for info on where to donate please contact justnmart1@verizon.net or send your contributions to:

Bethel 42 & Kempsville Chapter:
C/O Kempsville Masonic Lodge #196
4869 Princess Anne Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23462

Or

Bethel 5:
C/O Halifax Masonic Lodge #81
135 Orange Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32115

Or

South Seminole Chapter:
C/O Oviedo Lodge #243
534 West King Street
Oviedo, FL 32765

Visitation

Visitation

Carey Hand Colonial Chapel
2811 Curry Ford Road
Orlando, FL  32806
Monday, June 27, 2016
5pm to 7pm

Service

Funeral Service

Carey Hand Colonial Chapel
2811 Curry Ford Road
Orlando, FL  32806
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
4pm

Cemetery

Cape Canaveral National Cemetery
5525 US-1
Mims, FL  32754