December 25, 1938 - April 16, 2025
Noel “Skip” Jones was born to Joseph and Adeline (Zack) Jones on Christmas day 1938, their oldest son. He was a proud product of the lands and waters of Garden River spending his youth working and playing in the bush.
One Fall day in 1957, a young, dapper Skip Jones saw a pretty little Carol Boissoneau at an event at the hall “down the road”. After a quick courtship that involved showing off his latest car, Carol and Skip were married November 5, 1959. They said baamaapii (I’ll see you later) after 65 years of marriage with Skip lovingly looking into Carol’s eyes saying “You have that same twinkle in your eye as the first time I saw you at the hall.”
Proud father to Greg, Alanna (Steve), late Aaron, Marion (late Nick), Mona (Jeanette), Corinne (Fehmeel), late baby Joseph, Neil (Tracey), Don (Zelda), Joanne, Travis (Erica).
Excited Papa to Emily and Kai, Cameron and Sarah, Aaron (Riley), Nicholas, Stephanie (Noah) and Chris (Becca), Amy, Don, Jasyn, Felicity and Annah, Megan (Cameron) and David (Moirah), Annelind, Adrienne and Erin, Joshua, Alyssa (Keiran), Olivia, Averi and Joseph, Brooke, Nemki and Cedar, Mara and Gemma.
Brother to late Martina (late Gordie) Buller, Ann Alice (Dennis) Mount, late Stephen (Helena), Dennis (late Evelyn), late Theresa (late Clarence), late Sidney (Late Eileen “Lala”), Joseph, Caroline (Randy) Barry, late Brian (late Dorothy), Verna (Doug) Sewell.
Respected son-in-law to late Lawrence and late Irene (Whalen) Boissoneau. Brother-in-law to late Barb (late James) Roach, late John (Bud) (late Jean, late Edith), late Stella (late John) Sewell, late Earl (late Marilyn) (Margie), late Larry (late Catherine) (late Nancy), late Albert (late Donna), late Andy, late Joyce Howard, late Edward (Elvina), Linda, late Fred (late Maureen), late Gerald, Gordie (Anna)
Favourite uncle, cousin, and friend to many.
Skip began working at 14 as a delivery driver for Palmer Paving, Lyon’s Hardware, then Coca Cola delivering pop. (his kids liked to joke with him that he was a “coke pusher”) In 1967, Skip began a long career in forestry beginning with Lands & Forests first doing summer work as a fire crew Chief; then, after successfully completing the course for his Scalers Licence, as a scaler until his retirement in 1994. Shortly after his retirement from the MNR, Skip worked at St. Mary’s Paper where he met his best buddy, Alfie Miller.
In the early 80s, Skip began training in the Deacon’s Program with the Jesuit Priests (Society of Jesus). In June 1988, he was ordained as a Deacon and served his Catholic community well into his 80’s performing weddings, baptisms, funerals, and communion services. In 1994 he was part of an Indigenous delegation that met Pope John Paul II.
Skip was a leader in his community serving as Chief and Councillor. As Chief, he met with Jean Cretien in Ottawa negotiating 25 new houses built in GR. As a Councillor, he was part of a delegation that went to England to meet with Queen Elizabeth about the British North America Act. He stayed active in the community serving on numerous committees. He played a key role in the negotiating team leading to the “new” four-lane Highway 17 through Garden River, ensuring Garden River safety, environment and equal partnership were priorities.
Skip knew the importance of education and, with his wife Carol, ensured that their children had education as top priority, all successfully completing post-secondary education. The high school graduation gift was a set of luggage; a strong message to go strong into the world. Despite having only a grade 8 education throughout most of his career, Skip had the opportunity to go back to Sault College and earn a diploma in Native Forestry Technician. He was then asked to sit on Sault College’s Board of Governors. As a member of the board, he was able to hand his wife her degree upon her own graduation. Further setting the example, he and Carol went back to college again, both graduating from the Anishinaabemowin program at Bay Mills College. He was proud to see his grandchildren, the next generation, pursuing and achieving further education and entering the work world, often taking them around the world. It was instilled in his family that it’s important to contribute and give back – as his ancestors and Elders instilled in him.
Studying Anishinaabemowin led to Skip being a part of the Elders In the Classroom. For 6 years, right up until his last weeks, Skip went into schools sharing Anishinaabe history, language, treaty knowledge, stories and laughter with kids in elementary and high schools. He was part of the delegation that went to the World Indigenous Peoples’ Conference on Education in Australia.
Throughout his life he always made time for hunting and fishing trips. He was proud of the knowledge and wisdom of the bush he learned from his Elders and enjoyed sharing that with family and friends, especially his boys. He even ventured to Northern Ontario, Alberta, and Northern Quebec. There are numerous stories and memories his family and friends have from these excursions. He even had a fly-in fishing trip planned this coming May with Alfie that is now canceled, to accommodate a trip with the fisher of men.
Recently, Skip was asked and honoured to be part of the team presenting ‘Confluence’, an incredible art exhibit demonstrating realities of colonization and hope of reconciliation. He was very proud of this production that was worked on for almost 10 years and was excited to share it with family, friends, and the community in November this past year.
Hockey was a constant throughout Skip’s life. He was proud to share stories of his brothers dominating the local leagues back in the day. He was a proud hockey dad from when the first kids were young to watching his sons and daughters still playing this year. Skip was a proud sponsor of “Skip’s Kweok” as owner of a local Women’s Hockey team for many years. Watching the grandkids playing gave him great joy. He didn’t miss a Little NHL in over 50 years.
Our family is very well aware of how Creator blessed us with having our Dad with us this long. He had his first heart attack at 39. It’s Creator’s grace that Skip got 47 more years. He lived those years with passion, gratitude, and a strong connection to the land and reverence for our Creator. While our hearts are hurting now, we are forever grateful and will continue to celebrate his life.
Chi miigwetch to the wonderful doctors and nurses at SAH ER and ICU especially Alyssa, Carly, and Erica.
Friends and family are invited to Garden River Community Centre on Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. until time of the funeral service on Monday, April 21, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.- at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Church. Burial will take place following the mass at Garden River Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations (made payable by cheque or online) to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Diabetes Canada would be greatly appreciated by the family. Please visit www.arthurfuneralhome.com obituaries section to leave a message of condolence as a keepsake for the family.