Anthony Andrieus (Tony) Jones, 85, died peacefully at his home in Wilmington, North Carolina, surrounded by family, August 6, 2026.
Born October 27,1940 in San Mateo, California, to Rona Maria and Andrieus Aristeus (Peter) Jones, he is survived by his older brother, Michael, his wife Anne, son Adrian, daughter Sarah, and four grandchildren.
After elementary school in Hillsborough, California, he attended St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Massachusetts, class of 1959, where he played on the football and baseball teams. His senior year baseball team was undefeated and inducted into the St. Mark’s Hall of Fame in 2024.
He attended Princeton University, was the captain of the heavyweight eights crew, and a member of the Cap & Gown Club. One year an ocelot lived in his dorm room! After graduating in 1963, he taught mathematics and baseball at International College in Beirut, Lebanon, a private high school, for three years. He received a Masters in Arab Studies from the American University of Beirut. While there, he met Anne and they married in Yorkshire, England on September 11, 1965.
On his return to the U.S. in 1966, he taught Arab Studies at the University of San Francisco for two years in their night school program. He spent four decades in the insurance industry in sales and leadership roles in San Francisco, Denver and finally Boston, serving corporate clients. Upon retirement he co-founded a company importing fine Chinese art.
Tony was an accomplished fly fisherman and a very fine shot. He loved the outdoors, played golf, visited many countries, including the Galapagos and Africa, on bird watching tours. Two things he looked forward to annually were duck hunting in the Sacramento Delta and his elk hunt in the Colorado Rockies with some of his closest and lifelong friends.
Tony was also an accomplished and beautiful skier. As a boy he won numerous races at Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, where his family were founding members. In 1959, he worked on the downhill course for the 1960 Winter Olympics at Squaw Valley. Years later, he took immense satisfaction in passing his love of skiing on to his children.
Education was a lifelong interest; he served on the Board of Trustees for St. Mark’s School and the International College in Beirut. He loved people and he always wanted to help. His moral compass pointed due North and he never had a bad word to say about anyone. He had a unique ability to find the positive in anyone or any situation.
Tony lived a life defined not by accolades, but by decency. He was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor, conservationist, and friend whose kindness made the world better for everyone fortunate enough to know him. He will be deeply missed.
I first met Tony and Anne when their son, Adrian, married my daughter, Elizabeth. Weddings can be stressful, but Tony and Anne were thoughtful and gracious throughout, setting the stage for a lovely relationship. While we didn’t see them often over the years, whenever we did, it was like picking up where we last left off - easy! I will always remember Tony’s warm smile and good nature.
I love reading some of these comments and had no idea about the ocelot. You don’t hear things like that every day…. Mr Jones was a great “den” father for the crackerjack gang at St Marks. The thing I remember about him most was his smile. He was always smiling, what a great way to go through life and be remembered. My condolences to the family; but how lucky to have also been part of his life
I first met Tony at I believe a party for his grandson’s high school graduation a few years ago.
I immediately liked him as he was friendly and easy to talk to. My partner Ann Adams is Tony’s daughter-in-law’s mother so I got to go to additional family functions. As time went on, I spoke to Tony more and more to the point we would discuss any subject freely including our views and opinions.
We then progressed to phone calls with he and his wife Anne that lasted an hour or more and just had a lot of fun with them.
I was fortunate to be with Tony at Christmas dinner last year – spending a lot of time in his living room talking and laughing. I will miss him.
I’m sure we’ll continue phone calls with Anne – but that is a whole other topic!
- Jack Tedesco
Tony was my classmate at St. Mark's. He was a kind, talented person who was liked and respected. He led a meaningful life of love, service, and passion. He will be missed.
Remembering Tony
Tony Jones was one of the kindest and most generous men I have ever known.
I still remember the day his son Adrian introduced us. Tony welcomed me warmly, and in the more than twenty years that followed, that welcome never changed. He made me feel like family from the very first handshake.
We shared a great deal over those years: plenty of laughter, endless stories, and wonderful times with the kids and grandkids. Some of my favorite memories are of the visits when Tony hosted me in his homes in Scituate, Sugar Bowl, and Wilmington. He was a gracious host. A bourbon toast, a glass of fine red wine, and one of his hunting stories were always enough to put a smile on my face. I can still hear him telling them.
Tony and his dear wife, Anne, are truly special people. Together they have made an amazing impact on my life, and on everyone fortunate enough to know them.
Tony, thank you for your kindness, your friendship, and every story and toast we shared. I will miss you dearly.
With love and gratitude,
Larry Johnson
