Hugh Jones

Hugh Vernon Jones

Hugh Jones was born on July 22, 1925 in Calabar Nigeria. His parents Frances Ezekiel Jones and Ionie Violet Jones (nee Ellis) were teachers. Miss Oney (Oh-nee) and “Teacher” Jones taught in Nigeria and Jamaica.

Hugh was educated in Jamaica at an all-boys high school, ironically named Calabar. He was not able to see his parents regularly since they were only given one year furloughs during the war years. Without the trans-Atlantic travel, we have in this era, the lengthy boat rides made it difficult to travel to Jamaica and back during time given for vacation. Hugh often remarked that his father left him at 12 years old and he grew up between the boarding school and his grandparents, and the next time he saw his parents he was 21 years of age.

An athletic type young man, Hugh conquered all foes and was crowned boxing champion in Jamaica in the light-flyweight division. He was also a striker on the Calabar soccer team that captured the Manning Cup in 1943. It is the only time in the109 year history of the competition that Calabar has ever won the prestigious championship emblematic of supremacy in Jamaican High School football (soccer). At the time of Hugh’s passing only one of his teammates, Orville Blake, was still alive. Hugh and Orville regularly documented to those of us unable to see it, the glorious Calabar victory. In latter years there were regular phone calls to and from Miramar Florida where Orville presently resides to revel in the accomplishment.

Hugh was one of their three children along with Gloria (older sister) and Eloise (younger sister “Babs”). His older sister Gloria eventually settled in Jamaica, after working in Africa and Toronto, as a lawyer for the Jamaica Development Bank. “Babs” graduated from McGill University Medical School and practiced in Toronto. Gloria is survived by her two children Roger and Vanda Levy.

In February 1958, Hugh emigrated to Toronto. He landed on a bright sunny day and commented that he had never seen such bright sunshine yet experienced such bitter cold. Welcome to Canada Hugh! After settling, Hugh took a job with the Federal government as a clerk then found employment at DeHavilland Aircraft Company in 1959. “Vern” as his colleagues dubbed him was major contributor in the purchasing department as he worked at DeHavilland for 37 years before retirement.

But Hugh’s work extended beyond his 9-5 job as he was a regular vocal spectator watching his sons Paul and Mark play basketball at the high school and collegiate levels. He adopted all the boys on the team as his own sons to the point where Paul and or Mark would come home to find a teammate sitting with their dad and enjoying food, beverage or just a chat. When the family lived deep in the heart of the city near Oakwood and St. Clair, there was the infamous “side door knock”. The fellas just knew they had to walk up the driveway and knock on the side door if the basement light was on and Hugh’s hospitality would be extended as he was probably watching some sort of sporting event on television.

A devoted family and church man, it was not unusual for Hugh to come home from work and start cooking the family dinner as he sent one of the boys or both, to drive downtown to pick up Marjorie from work. After clean up Hugh was often grinding at a second job to help make things better for the family. Hugh loved the company of his immediate and extended family. On those nights when he wasn’t working, he could be found performing his church duties as he was actively involved in every parish he attended. He was the People’s Warden at St. Michael’s and All Angles Anglican Church and later served as both the People’s Warden and then Rector’s Warden at St. Philip’s Anglican Church.

Hugh could easily be considered “a man of the people” as he had absolutely no problem making friends and striking up a conversation. He was comfortable in all settings whether he was playing dominoes or teaching his sons how to not get duped at 3 card monty to reciting poems, Shakespeare or philosophically quoting Latin phrases apropos to any situation.

Hugh always remarked that if you showed me your friends, I will show you who you are. He kept elite company as witnessed by all who called or visited to pay their respects. Heartfelt thank you to all of his friends and in particular all the people who cared for him in the latter stages of his life. Special mention to the staff at Margaret Behen Hospice in Newmarket, all the workers from LHIN, RNS, doctors and staff at South Lake Regional Health Centre.