LELAND — Hon. John J J Jones passed away peacefully on Friday, May 23, 2025, surrounded by family.
He attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School and enlisted in the U S Navy at the age of seventeen on November 11th, 1943. Following service he entered St John’s School of law and upon graduation joined the New York State Bar.
On December 27th 1947 he wed Margie A Clancy a marriage that lasted more than 75 years until her passing on January 1st, 2023. They produced five children, John, Peggy, Joni, Denise and Brian.
In 1955 they moved from Brooklyn to Stony Brook, New York where he became a volunteer fireman and entered the realm of politics. His first venture into service was an appointment as Deputy Receiver of Taxes for the Town of Brookhaven in 1959. That was followed by appointment as special Town Attorney, He ran unsuccessfully several times until 1971 when he was elected as a Judge of the 6th District Court.
In 1973 he was elected as a Family Court Judge, during his tenure he was awarded the honor of Judge of the year. In 1974 he was elected as a County Court Judge and once again during his tenure he was awarded the honor as judge of the year. In addition he was appointed as acting Surrogate Judge. Finally in1977 he was elected as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York. Once again during his tenure he was awarded the honor as judge of the year
He retired in 1991 and moved his family from Stony Brook to Wilmington, North Carolina where he joined the North Caroline Bar. He retired as an attorney in 2019.
He was predeceased by his parents Joseph J Jones and Helen V. Jones (nee Fatthauer) siblings Joseph, Justine, Jane, Jerome, Jacqueline and Jeannette and his only love Margie.
He is survived by his five children, John (a retired Supreme Court Justice) (Kristine, nee Fellner). Peggy, Joan Marie (Larry), Denise and Brian (Aldina nee Marengo) seven grandchildren Matthew, Scott (Erin), Daniel (Shannon), Gregory (Heidi), Brian (Ireley), Devin and Bobby, six great grandchildren, Reese, Owen, John Cooper, Charlotte, Michael and Gabriel.
