Obituary of Francis Paul Jones

Francis Paul Jones, age 97 of 54 McLenathan Avenue, Lake Placid, died on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Elizabethtown Community Hospital, surrounded by his loving family, after a short illness. One of nine children, he was born in Camden, Maine on December 30, 1915, the son of Sidney and Beatrice (Myer) Jones. The family moved to Lake Placid in 1929. Mr. Jones was a long time employee of Hurley Bros. in Lake Placid and also worked at a private home on Lake Placid for a number of years. He also worked many years at the George and Bliss Boathouse as a licensed boat pilot on Lake Placid. An excellent gourmet chef in his early years, Mr. Jones worked at some of the finest resort hotels in the country, including the Breakers in West Palm Beach, Florida, the Mt. Washington in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire and others. A veteran of World War II, Mr. Jones served 4 years in an armored Division Reconnaissance Squadron as a runner and radio operator being decorated for bravery while participating in heavy action in major battles across Europe. He was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement on March 29, 1945. He was honorably discharged December 5, 1945. A member of the Lake Placid American Legion Post 326 for 30 years, Mr. Jones served 2 years as Commander of the local post and went on to be Essex County Commander for 1 year. He was also a past Grand Knight of The Lake Placid Council #1827. Mr. Jones was a member of the Lake Placid Auxiliary Police Department for 16 years and served as Treasurer for the organization for 12 years. Mr. Jones also worked in the Foster Grandparent Program for 31 years through the Diocese of Ogdensburg Catholic Charities and was often seen across from the Corner Store sitting with his grandson, Ryan. One of his proudest moments was to carry the United States Banner in the Opening Ceremonies of the 1932 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid. Mr. Jones is survived by his loving wife of 62 years Esther B. Jones, two sons: F. Paul, Jr. and his wife, Sue of Skaneateles, New York and Jason T. Jones of Lake Placid, three daughters: Mary and Ken Smith of Lake Placid, Patricia Adams and her companion, Michael Miller of Palm Bay, Florida, Nancy Edmands of Palm Bay, Florida and daughter-in-law, Linda Jones of Lake Placid. Grandchildren: Heather Bickford, Ryan Smith, Paul Jones, Andrew Jones, Brandon Johnson, Jamie Adams, Lindsay Jones Hansen, and Brooke Nason. Great-grandchildren: Jayke Bickford, Georgia Bickford, Samuel Bickford, Charlotte Jones, Francie Jones and Brady Nason. A special sister-in-law, Bea Colby and two sisters: Rita Biss of San Marcos, California and Isabelle Maxson of Santa Rosa, California. He was pre-deceased by his mother, father, daughter, Linda and sisters: Ethel Gedroiz, Genevieve Nagley, Helen Coomes, Frances "Betsy" Wine, and brothers: David and Jack Jones. Paul will always be remembered as a loving, caring and strong man when it came to family and everyone who surrounded him. He will be missed by his cats Leo and Rusty. Calling hours will be held at the M. B. Clark, Inc. Funeral Home, Lake Placid, NY on Wednesday, September 25th from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM with an American Legion Prayer Service at 6:45 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, September, 26th at 1:00 PM at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Lake Placid, NY. Rev. John Yonkovig will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery, Lake Placid, NY. In Lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in memory of Mr. Jones be made to the Lake Placid American Legion, Post 326, P. O. Box 968, Lake Placid, NY 12946 or Foster Grandparent Program, C/O Vivian Smith, 80 Park Street Suite 2, Tupper Lake, NY 12986. Relatives and friends are invited to "light a candle" and share a memory or leave online condolences at www.mbclarkfuneralhome.com .