Charles H. Jones III

Charles H. Jones III, 79, of Auburn, Maine, husband of Jessie D. “Jill” Jones, died December 15, 2008 in the Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston, ME following his brief illness.

Born in Boston June 2, 1929, he was the son of the late Charles H. and Margaret (French) Jones. He was raised in Cohasset MA and was a 1948 graduate of Milton Academy. He continued his education at Dartmouth, graduating in 1952 after a five year program that included a MBA from the Tuck School. He enlisted in the US Army, and was stationed in Berlin during the early years of the Cold War. He served as the editor of the military newspaper “The Berlin Observer”. Following his honorable discharge he returned to Cohasset and worked for Bostonian Shoe, the company his grandfather had founded. Moving to Monmouth, Maine in the early 1970’s, he continued his involvement with Bostonian, supervising the Maine factories. In his retirement, he enjoyed his next ten years of employment crafting furniture at Thomas Moser Cabinetmakers of Auburn. He will be remembered as the creator of the Cherry Chuggers, miniature wooden cars sold at Moser showrooms. As a young man, he was an avid blue water sailor, a longtime member of the Cohasset Yacht Club and the Blue Water Sailing Club. Following his relocation to Maine, he enjoyed skiing, both downhill and cross country. His passion for being on the water evolved into the sport of sea kayaking. He enjoyed paddling amongst the islands of mid-coastal Maine, with many trips to Matinicus and Monhegan which became yearly traditions with friends and family. He was an enthusiastic and competitive kayak racer, competing as recently as this July’s Moxie Festival Androscoggin River Race.

In addition to his wife of thirty four years, he is survived by his son, Daniel C. Jones and his wife Karen of Hanover, MA, daughters Deborah Jones Cerretani and her husband Craig of Ipswich, MA and Leslie Gutiérrez-Jones and her husband Carl of Santa Barbara, CA; six granddaughters, Samantha and Caroline Jones of Hanover, Kendra and Marissa Cerretani of Ipswich, and Marina and Natalia  Gutie’rrez-Jones of Santa Barbara. He is also survived by his former wife, Joan Jones of Plymouth, MA. He was the brother of the late Leslie Jones Jackson, formerly of West Falmouth, MA. A memorial paddle will be held this summer on the waters of Penobscot Bay. Arrangements under the direction of the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich. Those who wish may make memorial contributions in his name to the Maine Island Trail Association, 58 Fore Street, Suite 30-3, Portland, ME, 04101.

- E-mail a condolence for family members -