John “Jack” Scott FonesJohn “Jack” Scott Fones, 96, of Keene, formerly of Bradenton, Fl. and New London, CT. died on Saturday, June 29, 2013. He passed peacefully in his sleep at the Woodward Home in Keene.
Jack was born the son of the late Arline (Scott) and Byron A. Fones on June 21, 1917 in New London, Ct. He was educated in the New London schools and graduated from Nichols College class of 1937.
Jack exchanged vows with Jane Hartmann on October 26, 1940 at the Episcopal Church in Albany, N.Y. They were married for fifty five years before she passed in 1996.
Soon after college Jack joined Time Inc. He started as an editor trainee and eventually became a contributing editor until he left in the early 1950’s. Jack took some time off from Time to join the U.S. Navy. He served during World War II and was assigned to the U.S.S. Strickland a Destroyer Escort which he helped navigate on convoy duty in the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Pacific. He was honorably discharged after serving 2 ½ years of service.
After leaving Time he became an account executive at Ben Sonnenberg’s Publicity Consultants Inc. on Park Ave. in New York City. Among his clients was Phillip Morris, who sponsored the “I Love Lucy” show where he befriended Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Another client was Lipton Tea, where he worked to reinstate the America’s Cup Race. In 1961 he established John Scott Fones Inc. and worked in public relations for thirty six years, even after retiring to the Gulf Coast of Florida. He worked with and befriended numerous other well known clients during his many years in public relations.
In 2000 he began writing a weekly column for seniors, “The Senior Prom” which ran in the Anna Maria Island Sun for over eleven years and for several years in the Keene Sentinel. At the age of 95 he published a book of 100 of his columns called “The Senior Prom or Why I Never Owned a Goat”.
In 2007 Jack moved to the Woodward Home to be closer to his family where he inherited more family among the residents and staff.
Mr. Fones is survived by his daughter, Judy Perry and her husband Bob of Keene. A son, Scott Fones and his wife Laurel of Bridgeville, DE. Three grandchildren; Jonathan Perry and his wife Shannon of Keene and their children; Jacqueline and Samuel. Bevin Perry and her partner Amy Puebla of South Windsor, CT. and their children; Bailey and Riley. John S. Fones III and his wife Michelle of Swarthmore, PA. Also surviving are Jack’s beloved companion, Betty Ackerman of Bradenton, FL. in addition to a niece and nephew, extended family and friends.
courtesy WWW.cheshirefamilyfh.com