Daughters praise ‘good father’ Canon Jones

A kind man, a disciplinarian and one who dedicated himself whole heartedly to his family. This is how Centenarian, Canon Ivor Jones has been described by his children. Speaking to the media yesterday after his birthday visit by the Governor General, Sir Elliott Belgrave; June Roach, the eldest of his children described her father as a honourable man who thrived on punctuality.

 

“He and mummy were just the most wonderful parents that anybody could have. We are so fortunate to have been their children. First of all, he was very punctual; if you are going anywhere with daddy you have to be on time. Right? He was 

always like that and he was a disciplinarian as well, but a very kind man, so he could always find ways to help us out of any difficulties that we were in. He always encouraged us when we were in school to do the best we can.”

 

She recalled a time when she was a teenager sitting her O’ Levels in English and she was worried about how she would do and he expressed his confidence that she would do well – and indeed she did.

 

The second daughter and third eldest, Valeria Goodman agreed. “My father has been an extraordinary father in every sense of the word. He has always been very supportive, very kind, very understanding in whatever it is that is happening in our lives. So you know, we always had this family support from our parents and that is so important in life today.”

 

She is proud to be carrying on the legacy of her mother as she is a teacher at the school her mother founded, Jones Private School.

 

She said that one of the things that her parents taught her both in parenting and teaching is that while it is essential that you provide discipline for the young people, you must never overdo it.

 

“Both of our parents were teachers right? Disciplinarians yes, but never too over the top. That is another thing too, you know as a teacher – yes, you have to be strict – you have to be a disciplinarian and things like that, but not go overboard with the children. Right? So that, I would say is what I got from them.”

 

Goodman also echoed her older sister’s sentiments that they had the best family life possible.

 

The youngest child and daughter, Angela Bryan, who is her father’s main scaregiver, stated that even though her parents were born in that era, they were still modern enough to accept the things that young people wanted to do.

 

He also expressed upon his children that while it is only natural to want to have fun, you still had to make sure that you put in your work too.

 

Missing, was Canon Jones’ second child and only son, Geoffrey Jones, who works in England and will fly home later on this week.