Born Nagpur, India, 1941, Died Victoria, Canada, 2024
Terry Jones, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died on 14 April 2024, in Victoria, British Columbia. He is survived by his wife Dawn; his daughter Kari, her husband Michael, and their son Rowan; and his son Bruce, his wife Elizabeth, and their son Wyatt; all of whom he wholeheartedly loved. He was pre-deceased by his brothers Robert and Howard.
Terry was born in India, and raised in Scotland and England, before his family settled in Canada. He attended high school and university in Waterloo, Ontario, and it was there that he found his two great passions in life: Dawn, and opera.
He spent his life traveling the world, fondly building his collection of experiences and memories. He and Dawn moved to Sydney, Australia, in 1966, after Terry joined the Canadian Foreign Service, in which he spent his entire career. After the birth of their two children and a master’s degree, further postings took the family to Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, Denmark, Tanzania, and Jamaica; he also worked on and traveled extensively to the south Pacific and southern Africa.
He loved the diplomatic service, and all the life entailed. He was the steady hand in every mission in which he served, especially during crises, and the soul of every party he attended, especially those he threw. Friends from what Terry still called “External” have written to say they remember his great charm, creativity, wit, occasional poems, and irrepressible joie de vivre. He trained many younger diplomats, who fondly recall him as an innovator and mentor.
After he and Dawn retired to Victoria to be close to their first grandchild (and for the weather!), he turned his energies to amateur theatre, one of his life-long passions, and the Yacht Club, where Saturdays would find him racing the mini 12s. He also gave much of his time to community service with the Rotary Club of Victoria, where he served as President in 2005-06.
He reveled in living once again in the same city as Kari, and in their shared love of the written word. He watched with pride as his two grandsons turned into admirable young men, and he delighted in visits from Elizabeth and Bruce. He was happiest when he was with Dawn and surrounded by friends, who he regaled with his famous stories (sometimes repeatedly…).
For the last few years, Terry struggled with the effects of Parkinson’s disease. Even as it stilted his movement, he maintained his spirits. He was content to quietly peruse his rich album of memories, and never lost his love of books and music, or his appetite for sharing a spicy curry with Michael.
He will be sorely missed.
A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024 in Victoria, B.C., and online; for details, or for any messages or inquires, please email terrymemorial1@gmail.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome donations to charities conducting research towards a cure for Parkinson’s.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Sheila Martindale
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Nancy Leitch My condolences to Dawn and the family. Unfortunately, it has been sometime since I have seen Terry and Dawn. I remember Terry’s engaging personality and his delightful sense of humour. I was enriched by knowing him.
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Gary Langille Our sincere condolences to Dawn and the family. We knew him well in Ghana and Tanzania and liked him and the family very much.
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Sylvia Bews-Wright Thanks to an elevator repair Terry and Dawn moved into my no-stairs house for a few weeks last summer, a most wonderful chance for all of us to indulge in memories, usually with a G&T in hand. Dawn and I, both at Queen’s in a small class of budding psychologists married into the Foreign Service clan but never overlapped postings so it was not until we had all moved to Victoria that we befriended again. Terry’s passion for Indian food was fully satisfied through the meals prepared often by my UVic student from India and should the flavour not be spicey enough he happily chewed on a fresh green chili. He and Jharna conversed in “Indian accent” head-bobbing over laughter-filled meals. It was a daily joy to have them both here and Terry ALWAYS had a story to tell. Once the elevator was repaired the family opted to place Terry in a retirement home rather than try to push his wheelchair over the oriental carpets in their condo. I relished taking my dog many times to visit him. His sudden unexpected death has been shattering and there are not words enough to share my sorrow with his family. Mi casa es su casa always.
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Don MacPhee So sorry to learn of Terry’s passing and that he had suffered from Parkinson’s. We were colleagues in External Affairs although never served together abroad and mainly “crossed paths” at headquarters. However I do remember so well his cheerful outlook and ready smile when we would meet in the corridors of the Pearson Building. I know he was an officer who radiated cheerfulness and positivity at the missions abroad where he served. He will be missed.
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Joe and Anita Kess We are so very sad to hear of Terry’s passing.
He was a man with a larger-than-life presence, and he exuded positivity, energy and charm. So many stories…so many voices and accents!
Sincerest condolences.
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Gerald Pash Life Honorary Rotarian
The Rotary Club of Victoria, BC
A career diplomat, Terry Jones represented Canada at six posts and was accredited to eight others including; Australia, Belize, Benin, Denmark, Ghana, Greenland, Jamaica, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, and Tanzania. Formerly a member of the Rotary Clubs of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Kingston, Jamaica. Upon his retirement from the Foreign Service after 36 years he joined the Victoria Rotary Club. He served as a director of the club in 2003 and became President for 2005-2006. He was present at the 100th Anniversary Rotary International Convention in Chicago. A Paul Harris Fellow in 2006, Terry played an active role in Rotary and the Victoria performing arts community. He is renowned for enhancing club programs by inviting accomplished young musicians to perform and annually recognizing Robbie Burns Day. Terry Jones is hereby named an honorary lifetime member of the Rotary club of Victoria and is entitled to all the associated rights and privileges.
July 1, 2022Gerald Pash
Past President
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Heather McGavin One of my favourite memories of Terry is skipping down a street in Toronto, arm in arm singing “We’re off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz…”. There are so many memories. He and Dawn generously provided me with the opportunities to visit them in Copenhagen and then again in Dar es Salaam with several side trips – Brugge, the Serengeti, Zanzibar. I will never forget sailing on the Indian ocean with him in his little sail boat. I was happy that my home became his second home when he returned to visit his dad regularly. Terry has been a part of my life since I was 17. His passing is leaving a large hole in my heart. Sending love and hugs to Dawn, Kari, Michael, Rowan (and Shania), Bruce, Elizabeth & Wyatt. Love Heather xo
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Erin McNulty Kari and Bruce,
I remember your father well as we spent so much time together in Ghana. My mother reports he was a wonderful storyteller at any party, of which there were many as our families were both foreigners in Accra. We are saddened to hear of this loss but we’re sure the world is a better place for having him around for so long. Take care from all the McNulty clan
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Michal My sincerest condolences to Dawn, Kari and Bruce, Michael and Elizabeth, Rowan and Wyatt. I have nothing but very fond memories of a loving and kind uncle who took me in as a struggling teenager to be with his wonderful family for several weeks in Denmark, as well as later visits in Dar es Salaam and Kingston, Jamaica, all at difficult times of my life. I also remember a trip to a local potter in Victoria, which was great fun. I will never forget the hospitality, generosity of spirit and welcome I received. As my own father has been living with Parkinson’s for some time, I understand the challenges he faced so courageously, with the support of his close family, in the latter part of his life. I have donated in his memory to Parkinson Canada. Thank you, Terry. I will miss you. Your memory is truly a blessing. Love, Michal Calder
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Garth Martens When I first started Scottish Country Dancing in 2001, I met Terry on the dance floor. His presence was jovial, utterly memorable. Later, I’d see him again at the Planet Earth Poetry series, where he’d read delightful, funny poems. The entire room perked up when he approached the mic. I never saw him without that defining twinkle in his eye, of mirth, of glad-heartedness. Thinking of you and your family now. The world is less without him.
Dear Dawn: I was so sorry to read about Terry’s death. Though we had not been in touch for the last few years, he was a good friend. We had such fun at Planet Earth Poetry and in our workshops. His poems were humorous, sometimes irreverent, and always put a smile on our faces. He will be much missed. Please know you are in my prayers.