Christopher P. “Pete” Jones, of Wayland, MA died on July 4, 2022 at home. He was 94 years old.
A native of Bronxville, NY and Washington, CT, Mr. Jones graduated from Colorado College and earned graduate degrees from the American College for Financial Services. With experience in manufacturing and insurance sales, he co-founded, in the 1960’s, one of the first independent firms specializing in full spectrum financial counseling to corporate executives and individual clients. He was a Director of West Newton Savings Bank and a Trustee of Brimmer and May School in Chestnut Hill where he served for six years as President of the Board of Trustees. He supported other schools including Lawrence Academy in Groton, MA and his alma mater, The Gunnery in Washington, CT.
In the Spring of 1958, in New York City, he met Deborah Harvey. Four months later, they were married in her hometown of Boston.
A descendent of the Revolutionary and Civil War notables, he and Debby lived for many years in Wayland where they raised their four children. The family spent summers in Duxbury, sailing and participating in a variety of family and community sports, and hosting large family reunions, including an annual “grudge” tennis tournament among relatives.
In 1996 he commissioned Snug Harbor Boatworks of Duxbury to build the first modern edition of the famous Alden designed Duxbury Duck, a popular sloop of the 1930’s and 40’s. “Redux” was later entrusted to the care of the Duxbury Bay Maritime School to be used for adult sailing classes.
Debby and Pete traveled abroad and to many parts of North America and became especially attached to Montana, where his father was born.
Pete had a lifelong love of music. He enjoyed singing in his choir, the Canterbury Choral Society of New York, and in 1991 he was a founder of the Boston Saengerfest Men’s Chorus, the offspring of the century-old Saengerfest Singing Club.
He believed it was important in life to be a good communicator and in being aware of the needs of others, especially those who might welcome a little kindness. He also championed a good daily laugh to brighten one’s spirit.
Mr. Jones was predeceased by his wife of 63 years and is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Jones Hemenway and her sons Benjamin of Berlin, Germany and Nicholas of San Antonio, TX; Sarah Stiff and her husband Michael of Bozeman, MT, their daughter Mallory and her fiancé Brandon Hasart of McMinnville, OR, their son Tyler and his wife Angela Downing of Portland, OR and their daughter Josie; son Griffith and his wife Roynan of Black Mountain, NC, their son Taylor of San Francisco, CA and daughter Kelly and husband David Sizemore of Holly Springs, NC; a son Christopher C. Jones of Wayland; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Jones was also preceded in death by two brothers, Delancey Floyd-Jones Jones, Griffin ap Jones and his sister Valerie Materne.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 12, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 147 Concord Road, Lincoln.
A private burial will be in North Cemetery, Wayland.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so may remember Peter with a gift to Schepens Macular Eye Research, Mass Eye & Ear, 342 Charles St, Boston, MA 02114 or to Boston Saengerfest Men’s Chorus saengerfest.org/donate.