Thomas F. Jones Jr.

Thomas F. Jones Jr, 74, died May 25, 2024 at home after a long illness. He was never happier than after the birth of his son, Andrew “AJ” T. Jones. An only child and a later-in-life father, Tom was built to be a boy daddy. Whatever Andrew was interested in, Tom was interested in. That included playing soccer, robotics, chess, Scouts, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Flyers, the 76'ers, Chelsea Football Club and NASCAR – particularly the Dover races. Sports remained the ties that bound them, even after AJ.’s move south for college and work. AJ called his dad almost every night to check on him and talk sports. It surprised no one that Tom died wearing an Eagles shirt. A native of Philadelphia, Tom attended North Catholic High and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Master of Business Administration from LaSalle University, where he was also a member of the Football Club. Tom's career focused largely on healthcare, including working in the early health management organizations and related health insurance programs. He went on to earn a Master's in Healthcare Finance from Widener University and became a Fellow of Healthcare Financial Management, a certification which then was a rarity. He ended his work career working for the State of Delaware as Chief Administrator for Social Services. He was proud of being a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for seven years, focused on logistics. In June 1972, he had to postpone his first wedding when he was called up for eight weeks to provide relief efforts because of flooding after Tropical Storm Agnes came through the Keystone State. The flooding killed 9 people and destroyed 55,000 homes as well as roads and crops. He never forgot the experience. Tom also delighted in moonlighting as a DJ and ran his own company, Owl Entertainment, for a few years. As Andrew grew, Tom became a den leader for Cub Scouts and the Cub Master for Pack 86 at St. John the Beloved, and then as a Planning Committee Member for Boy Scout Troop 506. Tom coached many of Andrew’s sports teams when he was young, and then became team manager for many of his older teams. At St. John the Beloved, Tom was the leader of Team 6 money counters. He served on the board of the American Heart Association of New Castle County and as president of the now-defunct Perinatal Association of Delaware. Tom had a wicked wit and enjoyed poking fun at people, nobody more than his wife, Linda “LBJ” Brennan Jones. She usually responded with an “Oh, Tom” and eye roll. He also enjoyed having or going to Murder Mystery Dinner with close friends. In a testament to his steadiness, the whole family remained good friends with his first wife, Carolyn Stankiewicz, whom he had met when they were 17. Even after divorcing, Tom always considered her family to be his family. Tom enjoyed his nieces and nephews, and counted the Bradford, Capasso and White children – Lauren, Dave, Jeff, Jill, Anthony, Michael, Nick, Leslie and Natalie – among those he loved being Uncle Tom to. In recent years, Tom has delighted in the company of his great nieces and nephews, who frequently came to visit, keeping him entertained when his illness kept him at home. Among his greatest comforts was the family’s rescue dog, Fiona, who followed Tom everywhere. Tom enjoyed sitting in his green chair with Fiona at his feet listening to his music. The family would like to thank Delaware Hospice for its invaluable support, especially aides Melissa and Quinette, as well as care providers Denise, Mary Kay and Carla. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas F. Jones Sr. and Anna Barris Jones; his in-laws, John and Edythe Brennan; and brother-in-law John M. Brennan. He is survived by his wife, Linda; son, Andrew; sister-in law and brother-in-law, Sharon and Bill Carty; sister-in-law, Sandra Brennan; nieces: Jennifer (Dominick) Martelli, Kelley Carty (Quincy Griffin), Erin (Eric) Kyler, Kristen (Eric) Schilling; nephews: Sean Brennan, Keith (Alisha) Brennan; and Tim Schilling; great-nieces: Alexandra and Giovanna Martelli; Quinn Griffin; Maisie, Zoey, Teagan and Payton Kyler; and one great-nephew, Luke Martelli. His cousins: Fran (Carolyn) Martin and JoAnne (Jeff) Watson; former wife, Carolyn Stankiewicz; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, Dennis and Lorraine Schilling, bother-in-law Bob Stankiewicz, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joanne (Michael) Soper. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 11 from 10-11 AM at St. John The Beloved Roman Catholic Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, Delaware, 19808. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 AM. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the St. Patrick Center at 107 East 14th Street, Wilmington, DE 19801 or at stpatrickscenter.org or to Delaware Hospice 630 Churchmans Rd Suite 200, Newark, DE on line at DelawareHospice.org/donate. For directions or to send an online condolence please visit www.stranofeeley.com

Thomas F. Jones Jr.

July 22, 1949 - May 25, 2024

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