Swimmers and triathletes will be saddened by the death of Dick Jones. He was found by his wife Janet this morning, sitting peacefully in an armchair. Dick was 79 and his death was unexpected.
He was still working as one of Nelson’s most experienced and respected builders, joking that he couldn’t afford to give up work, but really, he just loved to be active.
In recent years, Dick has been known as a regular early-morning swimmer at Riverside Pool with his friend Chris Hawkes. The pair were among the founders of the tight group of swimmers who frequented lane six – the slow lane, although lately the pair have preferred to branch off in a lane of their own, smiling and waving at what is still one of the friendliest groups of swimmers around.
During a period around 2016-2017, Dick took an active part in the Port Nelson Sea Swims every Thursday night during the summer.
His connection with the Nelson Triathlon Club goes back more than 30 years. Dick and Janet’s son Andrew was one of New Zealand’s top teen triathletes when he was killed in a training accident while out on his bike.
Following that accident, the regional secondary schools triathlon was known as the Andrew Jones Memorial Triathlon and was supported by Dick and Janet throughout that period.
We all give our sympathies and condolences to Janet and the family.
*The funeral for Dick Jones will be held at Marsden House, Nile St in Nelson, 10.30am, Tuesday April 18*