Lowell A. Jones, Sr., obituary

Fri, 02/07/2020 - 7:00pm

ROCKPORT – Lowell A. Jones, Sr., 81, died peacefully, Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at Maine Medical Center in Portland, with his loving family at his side. 

On April 23, 1938, Lowell was born on Beech Hill in Rockport where he lived for most of his life. 

He was the youngest of five children born to Oramon Bernard (O.B.) Jones and Marion Jones.  Along with his lifelong friends and classmates, Granville Ames and Carlton Farley, Lowell was a 1956 graduate of Rockport High School.

Following high school, Lowell enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  It was there that Lowell would begin his lifelong career as a barber after cutting the Admiral’s hair.  Although not the official Navy Barber, he kept busy on his off time cutting hair for his fellow shipmates.  Released to the reserves, Lowell returned home and attended Barber School in Lewiston, Maine.  

Lowell married Jean Frye and together they had four children during 22 years of marriage.  For the past 23 years, Lowell and Gerry Hanley, who grew up as neighbors on Beech Hill, have been companions.  Between the two of them, they boast 10 children, and many grand and great-grandchildren.  

An avid sportsman, Lowell loved the games of golf, baseball and bowling.  In over 50 years he never missed a Tuesday league night at the local bowling alley.  The comradery and friendships he formed there were lifelong. 

For more than 17 years he passed on his knowledge and love of baseball as a coach to local Little League and Babe Ruth teams.  Even after his own children had left the league, he continued coaching. 

Lowell was very community-minded and spent many years on the planning/zoning board for the town of Rockport.  

Another favorite pastime was spending time in the great outdoors.  He loved being in nature, whether it was hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, or chopping wood.  He enjoyed it all.  

With a family background in the barbering trade, Lowell followed easily in his father’s and brother Allen’s footsteps.  For over 55 years he operated Jones Barbershop with his brother and business partner, Roger, in the center of the town of Camden.  The brothers enjoyed each other’s company and kept things interesting and fun for their loyal customers and many friends.  He will be sadly missed by all who loved him. 

Predeceased by his brother Allen Jones and a sister-in-law, Joanne Jones, Lowell is survived by his companion, Gerry Hanley, of Rockport; his children, Barri Jones-Skalky and her husband David of Cortlandt Manor, NY; Lowell Jones, Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Union; Darren Jones and his wife, Eileen. of Acton, MA; Amy Denekamp and her husband, Richard, of Emerson, NJ; his brother Roger Jones, of Rockport; his sisters, Marilyn Winchenbach and her husband, Kenneth, also of Rockport, Carol Knapp and her husband, Malcolm, of Lynnfield, MA; his grandchildren, Jessica Jones and her companion Aaron Tibbetts, Amy Griswold and her husband Mike, Abigail Skrabak and her husband James, Ian, Keira, and McKenna Skalky, Jacob Denekamp, Declan Jones; his great-grandchildren, Lydia, Braydon, and Dorothy Griswold, Virginia Skrabak, Corrine Jones-Tibbetts; Gerry’s children, Richard, James, Wesley, William, and Kenneth Hooper, and Christie Keizer; several grandchildren on Gerry’s side of the family; as well as many nieces, nephews, and too many customers and friends to count. 

Family and friends are invited to visit from 2 to 4 p.m., and 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.  A celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, February 13, 2020, at West Rockport Baptist Church, Park Street, West Rockport.  Fellowship will continue at the Rockport Lodge of Masons, Main Street, Rockport immediately following the service, 12:30 pm to 3:30 p.m.  Interment will be held in the spring. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made Beech Hill Preserve (Coastal Mountains Land Trust), 101 Mount Battie Street, Camden, ME 04843.

To share a memory or condolence with the Jones family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.