Ken Jones

Ken was born, together with his twin brother Keith, in Monmouth, Wales in 1939. Ken, a proud Welshman, was educated in the 1950s at Monmouth School, which has always been acclaimed as one of Britain's top rugby schools. Following graduation from the University of Birmingham in 1962 with an Honours degree in History and Geography, Ken chose to become a teacher. Thus began a career in England (7 years) and Canada (28 years ) in which Ken not only fulfilled his role as an educator, but also dedicated himself to the task of introducing the game of rugby into as many schools as possible, notably in the Peel Board of Education in Canada to which he had emigrated in 1969. Ken consistently coached Championship teams at the High School level as well as managing the Under 19 Provincial Team for 10 years, the Canadian Under 19 Team from 1989 to 1993, and the Canadian Under 23 Team from 1992 to 1993. He then moved on to manage or co-manage the Canadian International Team at the turn of the century. He was also a member of the Committee to select Elite Athletes for the game of rugby, and also wrote and published a series of booklets to teach basic rugby skills to younger children. He travelled the world with teams from high school to international levels and was a great ambassador for the sport and the country wherever he travelled. He was given Special Achievement Awards by the Ontario Rugby Union and the Government of Ontario in 1991, 1992, and 1993. In the first decade of the present century he was inducted into the Halls of Fame by both the Brampton Rugby Club and the Ontario Rugby Union. Sadly, ill health brought an end to the incredibly dedicated work that he had performed in his desire to share his love of the sport of rugby with the world. He passed away on Saturday, September 23 at The Wenleigh Chartwell Long Term Care home in Mississauga. He is survived by his brother Keith, niece Katherine, great nephews and nieces William, Connor, Maggie, and Cindel.



A wake to celebrate Ken's life will be held at the Brampton Rugby Club House, 7605 Kennedy Road South, L6V 3N2, on Sunday October 15 from 2 to 4 pm.



Donations in Ken's memory to Oakville and Milton Humane Society or the Brampton Rugby Union Club.