Robert "Bob" C. Jones, of South Easton, MA passed away reluctantly on Sunday, July 23, 2023 at the age of 91.

Bob was an accomplished athlete; captain of his Brockton Track team for three years, and captain of his Track and Field team for three years at Tufts College. He was named MVP in Track and Field in 1951, 1952, and 1953. He often ran in five events in dual meets with New England colleges, scoring most of the team's points. His teammates, Jack Gold, Andy Howitt, and Clayton R. Williamson were called the "Big Four" in NE Track and Field by sportswriter Jerry Nason of the Boston Globe.

Bob set high school records in the high jump, hurdles and broad jump. His 1949 relay team, with Bob running the second leg, set a record in New York City's Madison Square Garden, that stood for 25 years. His coach, Howard Sandrock, taught the team the perfect technique for passing the baton. In addition, first running on a curved indoor track in the local YMCA and training on the boarded banked track in the old Brockton High School gave our team a distinct advantage competing in the old, smoky Boston Garden and New York City's Madison Square Garden.

After a distinguished track and field career in high school, Bob enrolled in Tuft's College, originally majoring in biochemistry with the intent of going to medical school. By his junior year, the reality of becoming a doctor hit hard that it was not to be. He switched his major and thrived. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology with a minor in biochemistry.

In a white business community in the Boston area, known for its reputation as racially adverse to people of color, Bob was not able to crack the obstacles, even for the well-educated. He washed windows for three years before enrolling first in Boston University to study romance languages and culture, then transferred to Bridgewater State College, graduating in 1960 with a Master of Education in Guidance and Psychology.

He began his teaching career in Brockton's North Junior High School and after four years of teaching five subjects, became its Assistant Principal. He was selected in 1968 to assist his former 8th grade basketball coach, now Assistant Deputy Superintendent, Gerry Long, to assist him in overseeing the construction of a new high school. He was tasked with furnishing and installing $2.8 million dollars' worth of furniture and equipment for 4,500 projected students from four junior high schools in the city. His talent for "getting things done" led him to be responsible for non-certified personnel negotiations, planning and submitting an annual budget, recruiting teachers, and managing maintenance of all 22 school buildings.

After 34 years of service, Bob submitted his retirement to the State Board of Education. However, upon an urgent request from the then Mayor to become Superintendent of Schools and specifically help present a Desegregation Plan to thwart a state takeover of the school system, he withdrew his retirement papers and accepted the mayor's challenge.

With the aid of a stellar support staff, the plan was accepted, and the city received 90% pf the cost of the construction of three new schools and for two proposed new elementary schools.

Bob's vision, hard work, and ability to solve issues, the system thrived under his leadership. He often said "it was a labor of love". After retiring in 1997, he was able to take care of his parents, Carrie and John Jones. They were recognized for their community contribution by John running their Seventh Day Adventist food program in their church and a separate free used clothing store run by Carrie.

He led a very active life with his companion Filomena Silvestri, traveling to Spain, Germany, Austria, Portugal and rented an apartment in Introdacqua, Italy (AQ), a place Bob came to call "a little piece of heaven".

Bob lived a life of relative peace in North Easton and subsequently gave up a home he loved, and moved to a leased condo in Fox Run, South Easton.

Bob is survived by his loving and caring sister Audrey C. North and her husband Dr. James J. North, Jr. of Michigan; his son Guy D. Jones and his wife Annette; granddaughters Ciara, her husband Adilson Mendes and their sons Kevin Elijah and Royce Marco; Kristin Emily Jones; Devon A. Elgeziry, her partner Ben Elgeziry and their daughters Marlia Snow, Rixi Coral. Also surviving are his two favorite nieces Alicia Thurston of Maryland and Gwen Boyd of New London, CT.

During his career and beyond, his faith sustained him during the good times and bad; his cousin Carole Taylor of West Medford; Marie Fernberg, his former Executive Assistant of Brockton; Cynthia McNally, his Administrative Assistant; his good friends Ossie Jordan, William Hamilton, III, Willie Wilson, Jr.; Tim and Janet Trask; Mary and Jim Richardson of Delray Beach, FL who enriched life from childhood; his good friend, personal assistant and caregiver extraordinaire Guilaine Aguedita Gonzalez, AKA Gigi; and his friends in Italy, Filomena's son Robert Pirro, his wife Julia and their sons Anthony and Konstantin; and Filomena's cousins Rosa Maria Bonaventura Susi, her husband Mimmo Zarrillo, their daughters Barbara Marresse and Antonella DeRocco, and Antonella's daughter Francesca. He leaves many relatives and friends who remained important in his life until his death.

Funeral Services in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St., (Rt123) Brockton on Friday, July 28th at 10:00AM.  Interment will follow in Knollwood Memorial Park, Canton. Calling hours in the Russell & Pica Funeral Home on Thursday from 4:00-8:00PM.  In lieu of flowers, Bob explicitly stated he desired contributions to be made on his behalf to the Brockton High School Fine Arts Department, 43 Crescent St., Brockton, MA 02301 to help continue the excellence exhibited by its diverse and talented students. Those checks should be made out to Brockton Education Foundation and in the note section specify that this is for Robert C. Jones