Al Jones

CHAUTAUQUA - Alfred F. Jones, 85, of 4909 West Lake Road, Mayville, died unexpectedly Tuesday (Aug. 4, 2009), in the emergency room of Westfield Memorial Hospital.

He was born April 21, 1924, in Mayville, the son of the late Alfred J. and Anna Moran Jones.

Al was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving in World War II with the 751st tank battalion as the tank commander.

Al was the superinten-dent of buildings and grounds for Chautauqua Central School for more than 40 years. He had also been in charge of Chautauqua Cemetery for 40 years, 15 years as Town Justice for the Town of Chautauqua, eight years as a Chautauqua County Legislator in District 20, where his efforts in the legislature were instrumental in the completion of the Interstate 86 expressway. He championed the slogan for that cause "The Missing Link", and received a Certificate of Merit from Jess Present for "Leadership, Vi-sion, Dedication, and Perseverance" regarding the completion of the Inter-state 86 Expressway.

He was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mayville, where he was a former warden, a life member of both the American Legion and of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a former Boy Scout leader, past president of the New

York State Association for Superintendents of School Buildings and Grounds, founded the Youth Recreation Program for Chautauqua Central School, and had been the advisor for the Camera Club, the golf team and the yearbook staff. He was the first president of the Chautauqua Fire Department, and was recognized in 2009 for 60 years of service to the Fire Department, a member and past master of Peacock Masonic Lodge in Mayville, and was grand sword bearer for Chautauqua District of the Masonic Lodge, he was named Senior Citizen of the Year by the United Senior Council, past chairman of TRIAD, and had been chairman of the North Chautauqua Lake Sewer Board.

Al devoted his life to his community and was ever conscious of the needs of others, he made a lasting impression on the many students he mentored at the high school, and he exemplified integrity in every aspect of his life.

Al loved hunting, fishing, golf, and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Juline "Judy" Kinder Jones, whom he married May 11, 1946, in Mayville; two daughters: Karyn (Don) Fahey of Geneva, Fla,, and Carolyn (John) Murray of Mayville; one son, William (Michele) Jones of Mayville; six grandchildren: Dan Fahey, Ginger White, Scott Olson, James Murray, Kevin Jones and Brian Jones; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Helen Mae Gleason of Elkhart, Ind.; and eight nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Lorene Gleason.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 15, 2009), in St. Paul's Episcopal Church, in Mayville. The Rev. Dr. Gordon DeLaVars, rector will officiate. Interment will be in the Chautauqua Cemetery.

No callings will be observed.

Memorials may be made to the Chautauqua Fire Department, Box F, Chautauqua, NY 14722.

The Freay Funeral Home in Mayville is in charge of arrangements.