John Graham Jones (‘Stig’) (F 53-56). One of John’s children, Lindsay Jones, has kindly submitted the following notice:
“Graham passed away at his cottage in Hightown (as was his wish) on the 15th of May 2021 aged 82 years after a fourteen month battle with cancer, which he fought with dignity and strength. Graham, many knew him as Jonesy or even Stig, will be sadly missed by all. He was a one of a kind with an incredible zest for life - always smiling and cracking jokes right to the very end. He made a lasting impression on everyone he met and was a legend in his own right. He was still working as a Chartered Surveyor until the middle of last year, when COVID restrictions allowed, and in the week before he passed away he even took two phone calls from clients requesting surveys. His love of St Bees was evident in the way he would talk about his school days and being an OSB to all who would listen. Whilst only at St Bees for a short time it certainly set him up well for the future. I am aware that whilst at school he would cycle around the village and the surrounding areas and can only think this started his love of travel and road trips!
Part of the eulogy at his funeral was provided by his brother (R. K. Jones - FS 55-60). Graham was born in Huyton attending Huyton Prep School followed by Marlborough College in West Derby, both of which closed, so at the age of thirteen he was despatched to St Bees as a boarder. Whilst at St Bees he obtained his nickname ‘Stig’ due to his slim features, whilst his brother became known as ‘Fat Stig’ for the same reason. He was proud of his nickname and even used it in his email address. It was during his time away at school that his mother died in 1955, shortly after his brother had joined the school, and Graham was the one responsible for telling his younger brother what had happened and then bringing them both home. Further photos may be seen by clicking here.
John G Jones (FS 53-56) - Far right
In the early 60s Graham discovered his liking for the Isle of Arran, especially Lochranza, where he spent some time as a barman in the Lochranza Hotel meeting there his first wife Thelma. His love of Arran continued throughout his life and he took advantage of the many golf courses on the island. His love of road trips took him to Aviemore, in particular Coylumbridge, where he spent his Christmases for the last 54 years. Through his mother’s side of the family his Scottish heritage was also evident in the yearly pilgrimages he made to Murrayfield to support the Scottish rugby team, over the last twenty years he was accompanied by his youngest son. He was a member of Liverpool Rugby Club, Waterloo Rugby Club and Formby Golf Club. He studied surveying in London, starting his first employment with the Liverpool firm of Sykes Waterhouse, moving on over the years with his own surveying and estate agency in Formby village. He was very well respected in his profession, carrying on way past retirement age due to his love of the job.”

 

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The St Beghian Society    
St Bees School,    St Bees,    Cumbria,    CA27 0DS.

         Tel: (01946) 828093      Email: osb@stbeesschool.co.uk      Web: www.st-beghian-society.co.uk