RUMSON – The Two River area has lost “a consummate gentleman” with the passing this week of Robert S. Jones Jr.
Jones, 74, a Rumson resident, died on Sunday following a long battle with cancer.
Rumson Mayor John Ekdahl said he knew Jones quite well over the years. As he waged his fight against cancer, Jones “never lost his indomitable spirit or his enthusiasm for life throughout the journey.
“He will be missed by the community and all those who were inspired by his will,” Ekdahl added.
Jones had served as a trustee of the Riverview Medical Center Foundation from 2003 to 2011.
“Bob was a leader, a gentleman and a philanthropist,” said Joseph Stampe the foundation’s current president.
“I think his years of service spoke volumes for him and his commitment to this hospital and community,” who generously gave of his time and personal contributions, which was a profound benefit to the medical center and area, Stampe continued. “We are proud to have been a beneficiary of his import and truly inspired by the legacy he left this community.”
“A quintessential gentleman,” Riverview Medical Center President Tim Hogan called Brown. Given his health challenges he faced, Brown “was the most positive person I think I ever met,” Hogan said.
“Every ounce of his energy he had went back into his family, friends and the people who he helped,” Hogan said.
The foundation is a separate, nonprofit charitable organization providing philanthropic assistance to programs and services at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank.
Starting in 1965 Jones had worked for 42 years for AXA Advisors, LLC (formerly the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the U.S.), holding a variety of different positions with the company over the years. He retired in 2007 as executive vice president, head of retail and chairman of AXA Advisors, responsible for the entire retail sales force, made up of 6,000 financial professionals in 54 branches in U.S. and Puerto Rico.
Jones was “A man of integrity, warmth and affection, he has been a mentor and role model to many over the decades,” said David Karr, chairman of AXA Advisors.
Jones had “loved this company and its people,” and had been “one of our most-admired and loved leaders,” Karr remembered.
“He is already deeply missed,” Karr noted.
An accomplished member of the financial community, Jones had earned a number of professional certifications in his field, including completing the advanced management program in 1987 from Harvard University’s
Graduate School of Business, as well as serving as president of Equitable Management Association and a member of the Million Dollar Roundtable.
Jones was born in Baltimore, Maryland and served in the U.S. Navy following high school graduation. He went on to graduate with a degree in economics from Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1965 and was a trustee emeritus for the college. From 1988 to 2000, Jones served on the college’s board of trustees, continuing to provide his support as an emeritus board member since 2001.
He established the Robert S. Jones Endowed Scholarship and worked on various improvement projects for the school, including the construction of what went on to be named the Bobby Jones Softball Field, according to Janet Morgan Riggs, Gettysburg College president.
Gettysburg College last June awarded Jones a meritorious service award, given in recognition of his longstanding volunteer service to his alma mater, said Riggs. “Bob’s love for and enthusiasm about Gettysburg College were contagious,” she said, telling how, even as Jones’ health began to fail, he would continue to work for the college and host events for college students.
“He was one of the most positive, upbeat and courageous people I have ever known,” Riggs said. So many of us in the Gettysburg College community mourn his passing, and feel blessed to have known him.”
Jones and his family had been members of the Rumson Country Club since 1987. Jones had been on the club’s board of directors from 1999 to 2005, serving as its vice president from 2001-2002, and president from 2002-2005.
“He was a warm, positive force among our membership,” recalled Michael Kurtas, the club’s general manager.
Kurtas remembered Jones as someone “who always had a smile” and “always had a positive attitude even as he was going through his challenges,” with his health. “He always had something nice to say.
“He was known by many and will be missed deeply by the membership and by my staff,” Kurtas said.
In addition to the Rumson club, Jones was a member of Sail Fish Point Golf Club and Marina, Stuart, Florida, also serving on its board. Jones made an impression on Vic Tortorici, the facility’s director of golf. “He was the nicest individual,” who helped usher in improvement projects for the club, Tortorici offered.
Even when it was clear Jones wasn’t feeling well he made every meeting, Tortorici recalled. “He was always there for everybody,” Tortorici said.
Jones is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sharon, and son, Matthew, and three daughters, Kelly, Kirsten and Ashley, and their families, which includes eight grandchildren, Robert, Klayton, Kyle, Marin, Brayden, Liam, May and Milo; and his brother, Elliot Jones and wife, Melanie, of Florida, along with many nieces, nephews and friends.
Visitation will be on Monday, Aug. 24, at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 11 a.m., at the Church at the Nativity, Roman Catholic Church, Fair Haven.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Jones’ memory to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73123; 1-800-227- 2345 or online at www.cancer.org/donate.
