Robert John Jones

Robert John Jones (Bob) died suddenly on July 2, 2024 of cardiac arrest. He was born to Robert and Muriel Jones in Bridgeport, CT on July 31, 1943. He was the older sibling to Carol Eskins and Tom Jones.

Bob grew up in very humble surroundings which, undoubtedly contributed to his life of service helping some of the most vulnerable among us. He graduated from UConn, lived on a hippie commune, attended Woodstock in 1969 and was an early devotee of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen. He moved to Cape Cod in 1973 with his partner, Patricia McGraw, the mother of his son Jesse (52) of Wilmington, NC and his daughter, Adrienne (48) of Brewster, Ma. Lauren, his wife of 40+ years has been his life partner and confidante. They met in 1978 when Bob was the first Executive Director of Lower Cape Human Services in Orleans. They worked with the Dept. of Mental Health to establish a group home and day program for the chronically mentally ill. In the mid 1980’s they both attended Smith College School for Social Work where they received their MSW degrees. Together they co-founded Orleans Psychotherapy Associates in 1986, a group practice they had for 30+ years. Bob leaves a legacy that stretches back to the early ‘70’s. His circles include those from the days of tossing pies at Villa Pizza and hanging out at the Yardarm and Land Ho right up to his blossoming relationships which he continued to build until his final minutes of life. He was attending an AA meeting when he suffered his fatal heart attack and was in a place where he built cherished friendships. Bob was a Little League coach in Orleans for Jesse and was always a “hands on” active father. He served on the Nauset Regional School Committee and Orleans Elementary School Committee for 17 years along with a variety of other local boards and committees. Bob’s deepest friendship was built with his son, Alexander (35), Lauren and Bob’s son with profound autism. He was their inspiration to envision and create Cape Cod Village, a non-profit organization in Orleans, providing housing and programs for adults with autism and developmental disabilities. CCV became Bob’s passion and legacy. He served 10 years as the first board President and continued active in every aspect of the organization and Alexander’s life. His ability to connect with Alexander transcended what most people thinks love looks like.

Bob loved boating & fishing, reading & intellectual pursuits; driving on the Outer Beach, his rowing machine & e-bike; woodworking & gardening; extensive travel in the US & internationally; many winters on the coast and in the mountains of Mexico; left leaning politics, deep discussions & music. He was passionate, a visionary, had strong opinions and could get spirited and feisty. Bob was an extremely devoted father. He and Lauren created a one-of-a kind-home and tended their many flower and vegetable gardens. It became their sanctuary including the deck and the cabin and served as a gathering place for many celebrations with friends and 4 generations of family over the years. Bob was blessed to have 5 grandchildren, close in-laws and some special nieces and nephews. Family gatherings are what fed his soul. To know Bob was to know joy. You could count on leaving an interaction with him better than when it began. He told it like it was, but often did so with wit and humor, love, wisdom and a twinkle in his eye. Bob’s family and community undoubtedly have a deep feeling of loss as well as gratitude for having had him in their lives. He would want loved ones and friends to carry on his legacy, live life fully, fight the good fight and always reach out to the underdog.

There will be A Celebration of Life in the fall, location/date/time to be announced. The family requests any donations be made to Cape Cod Village Center for Developmental Disabilities - 2023 - 2024 Annual Appeal (https://capecodvillage.networkforgood.com/projects/205047-2023-2024-annual-appeal) or checks be made out to CCV/CDD and sent to 19 Childs Homestead Rd. Orleans, Ma 02653. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com