Obituary of Donald C. Jones

Donald Charles Jones of Canandaigua, New York passed away at the Newark Manor Nursing Home Sunday, November 6, 2022, at the age of 94. He was born April 17, 1928, in Canandaigua to the late Edgar and Margarette (Moore) Jones. He graduated from Gorham High School in Gorham, New York where he played on the basketball and baseball teams. During his senior year, he won an award for the most points scored in the basketball league. His love of sports caused him to pursue a physical education degree from Brockport Teachers’ College (B.A. 1950). He later received his master’s degree in elementary education from Brockport (1953) and a degree in education administration from the University of Rochester. His first job in education was at the Cheshire Union School. He was their teaching principal from 1950-1953. Then he taught science for two years after the centralization of schools between Cheshire and Canandaigua. In 1955, Don became the vice-principal of Canandaigua Elementary School and served in that position until 1957 when he became the principal of Phelps Elementary School. He moved his family to Phelps in 1963, and he continued to work for the district until 1987. Don was actively involved in his community. Don was an Episcopal Church warden at Canandaigua, Clifton Springs, and Phelps churches. He was a long-time member of the Phelps Rotary Club where he served as both secretary and president. He coached Little League for many years including coaching his own son Gregg. In Don’s retirement, his love for educating children and giving back to the community continued by his participation on the Phelps Community Library Board of Trustees as both treasurer and president. He also volunteered weekly at the library to re-shelf children’s books, and he played bridge at the community center when they needed someone to fill in. Don maintained his love of sports throughout his life. He loved to watch sports on television, especially football and golf. Don was an avid golfer himself. He played in golf leagues both in Boynton Beach, FL where he and his wife Pat would spend their winters and in a senior league in Geneva, NY. Don and his wife loved to travel. In addition to driving through states to and from their winter home in Boynton Beach, they traveled all over New England, made a trip across the U.S. to California, and went to Europe several times. Their favorite trip, however, was an excursion through the Canadian Rockies. Don is survived by his wife of 67 years Patricia (Matthews) Jones of Canandaigua; daughters Penelope (Gary) Foley of Macedon and Sheryl (Haim) Bau of Swarthmore, PA; son Gregg Jones (Patty Ham) of Clifton Springs; grandchildren Michael Dicker, Jennelle (David) Hart, Benjamin (Eriola Kruja) Bau, Natalie (David Baqaee) Bau; great-grandchildren Samantha, Garrison, and Brinlee Dicker; Zoey, Odysseus, and Orion Bau; Ollinger and Ozwyn Hart; his sister Alice (Steve) Russell of Canandaigua, along with many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Friday, November 11th at 11 a.m. at the Fuller Funeral Home, 190 Buffalo Street, Canandaigua. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider donations in his name to Phelps Library, 8 Banta Street, Suite 200, Phelps, NY 14532. To share a memory or express condolences online please visit www.fullerfh.com