We are sad to announce the passing of Colin Jones, who died peacefully, surrounded by family, on May 27th, at the age of 90. Colin was predeceased by his wife Jacqueline (Jackie, nee Cocker) in 1982.
Colin was born in Vancouver in 1934, the youngest of two boys, to parents Gordon and Edith (nee Russell), both immigrants, from England and Scotland, respectively. He grew up on the west side of Vancouver in the Mackenzie Heights area, where he loved exploring and playing in the nearby forests and swamps during a time when there were far fewer roads and houses. He went to Kitchener Elementary, Point Grey Junior High, Lord Byng Secondary School and earned an engineering degree from the University of British Columbia in 1957. He went on to have a 40 year career as a civil engineer, primarily specializing in hydro-electric power, during which time he worked on many hydro-electric projects in western Canada and some internationally.
Colin loved to travel and did so extensively in the 1960s, including a 13 month sojourn to Europe, a return drive across Canada and the USA to attend Expo ‘67 in Montreal and many ski trips. In 1969 he married Jackie and they moved into the Jones family house that he lived in almost his entire life. Colin and Jackie had three sons, born in 1972, 1975 and 1978.
The early 1980s were a difficult period, with a downturn in the economy that led to periods of limited employment, and most tragically, in 1982 Jackie succumbed to a 3 year battle with cancer at the age of 41, leaving Colin to raise three young boys. It was a huge challenge, but with his strength of character and help from friends and family, Colin persevered and managed the challenge well. Many fun times were had with Colin and his sons growing up, including annual camping trips and a trip to England and France in 1990.
Colin fully retired in 1997, which provided him with more time to travel and to dedicate to his lifelong fascination with old British cars – his prize possession was his 1948 MGTC, which he bought when he was 21. He faithfully took his MG to annual car shows and on trips all over western north America with his car club. During this period of his life Colin developed a close friendship with Jackie’s best friend, Sharon, who had moved back to Vancouver in 1993 from Hawaii. He enjoyed many wonderful times and hiking, camping, sailing and cross-country skiing trips in his retirement with Sharon, before her passing in 2014. Colin was thrilled at the arrival of four grandchildren in this latter part of his life.
Colin loved skiing, hiking, line dancing and sailing, never refused a meal and never left a crumb on his plate. He was very independent and a naturally quiet person, but he loved to socialize and had a true appreciation for the life he had lived. He had a sneaky sense of humour and a deeply kind heart.
Colin is survived by his sons: Craig (Erin), Keith (Julie) and Owen; grandchildren: Cate, Rhys, Nolan and Reid; brother, Harley (Ellajean), and brother-in-law, Ian Cocker (Eleanor). We all miss him.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on June 29th at Kearney Funeral Chapel, at 450 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Colin’s memory to the Alzheimer Society of B.C.