Donald T. Jones

Donald Thomas Jones, 94, of Estero, FL, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2025. Formerly of New Hyde Park, NY, he had been an Estero resident for the past two and a half years. Born August 10, 1930 to the late Thomas and Anna (Donovan) Jones, he was the oldest of their six children. He was raised in New York City where he would soon meet his wife, the late Carmela (Tempone) Jones, in 1942. Their family homes were next to each other – their connection started with a conversation through their bedroom windows and blossomed into marriage. He married his “Millie” in 1952 and they enjoyed 71 years of marriage together. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July 1949. He served his country proudly at the Naval Base in Pensacola, FL and then on the USS Coral Sea until his honorable discharge in 1953. He continued to serve his community by joining the NYPD in 1955. He spent 26 years on patrol at precincts in both New York City and Queens. He earned the rank of Detective serving as a Field Training Specialist, and he retired in 1981. He also worked for 14 years at Chase Manhattan Bank as a security supervisor. He and Millie moved to New Hyde Park in 1962 where they raised their three children, Donald, Carol Ann and Brian. Donald truly lived a life of service, and that extended beyond the U.S. Navy and NYPD. He was described by a neighbor as someone who gave with open arms, without ever a question. When asked what he wanted, he would reply, simply, “peace and quiet, and a handshake.” Truly, you could always find him lending a hand to those around him, be they friends, family, neighbors, etc. He could build anything from nothing; and if you ever mentioned you needed something, it would be on your doorstep by the next morning, most likely with your favorite sweet, as he’d never forget. He took such pride in his role as provider, he worked two jobs for most of his life to ensure his children and wife always had the best that life could offer. Some days, they didn’t know how their dad managed to pull it off, but he was magical in that way. Following his official retirement, he took on his next position: chief babysitting officer. The magic continued this time in his role as Pop. He was the best playmate his grandkids could have and excelled at the art of make-believe. Spelling word lists were practiced, swim lessons given at his pool, guitars had been fashioned from tissue boxes, countless stories were told (who can say if all were true), and there was always a song to sing. He spent the early years treating his family to wonderful vacations in Montauk where the days were filled with fishing and sailing. Later in life he enjoyed many years vacationing with his family in St. Maarten. He loved a good classic movie, “Seinfeld,” and listening to old tunes on the radio. He knew them all! Most of all, he loved to tell stories about his family history. Remaining grounded in his roots and understanding where he came from was important to him; he even took a trip to Ireland with his children to visit the towns where his family was from. And though his wife was a NY Yankees fan and would groan, he remained a long-time supporter of the New York Mets. He is survived by his loving family, including his children Donald Jones and his wife Connie of Naples, FL, Carol Ropke and her husband Thomas of Estero, FL, with whom he lived, and Brian Jones and his wife Carole of Hillsdale, NJ; eight grandchildren: Christie Sullivan and husband Liam, Caitlin Coghlan and husband Kevin, Colleen Cadigan and husband Keith, Michael Ropke and wife Emma, Christine Ropke, Caroline Jones and husband David, Brian Jones and Connor Jones; nine great-grandchildren: Cillian, Eamon and Devin Sullivan, Marie, Tessa and Corinne Coghlan, Casey and Nora Cadigan, and Flora Ropke; and his brother John and wife Anne Jones and his sister Anne Marie Antonelli. He is loved by many nieces, nephews, good friends, and a wonderful caretaker Marie. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Thomas, Robert and Kenneth Jones. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, March 7 at 2:00 PM at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 28300 Beaumont Rd., Bonita Springs, FL 34134. Additional services to celebrate his wonderful life will take place at a later date when he and his wife go home together to New York to join their families at Gate of Heaven cemetery. Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to St. Leo the Great Catholic Church and Joanne’s House at Hope Hospice. And mostly, he wants you to do your best, to enjoy simple pleasures and tell stories about the family, and to watch a little “Seinfeld” when you need a good laugh – he’ll be watching with you.

Donald T. Jones

August 10, 1930 - March 1, 2025