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
14 Responses
Dear Dawn, After much searching I finally came upon Terry’s lovely obituary. (missed you both at Opera). So sad for you. I would like to attend his memorial on June 8.
Dear Dawn,
I am so sorry to hear of Terry’s passing. I have great memories of you both as Manor Park neighbours, and so appreciated you inviting me to your many parties and Sunday night curry dinners. I also enjoyed the visit with you in your elegant house in Victoria.
What a wonderful write up of your many postings and life together.
Thanks also to Kari for her email.
Dear Dawn and family,
Carolyn and I were sorry to learn of Terry’s passing. We have missed him at Rotary the past few years. He was a consummate gentleman and added an interesting international perspective to our Rotary endeavours. I much appreciated his desire to introduce local musicians to our meetings.
Sincere condolences
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.