Martin G. Jones

Martin (Marty) G. Jones, Sr., of Chaumont, NY passed away Wednesday, March 11,
2026, from natural causes. Marty was 91 years.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Becker-Cleveland Funeral Home in
Chaumont, NY.

Marty was born May 2, 1934, to Thelma Morris and Kenneth Bancroft in
Watertown, NY. He was later adopted by his stepfather Olin Jones. They lived in Three
Mile Bay, NY. He had 3 siblings: Kenneth Bancroft, Jr (deceased), Wallace Bancroft,
Sr. (deceased), and Elgitha Jones Peebles of Rodman, NY.

Marty was a distinguished graduate of Lyme Central High School in 1952, where
he was well known for his basketball prowess. He also played in the band. After
graduation he went into the Army and served for 2 years.

He married Jeanette Aldous at Chaumont Presbyterian Church on June 30,
1957. They were married for 68+ years. They had 6 children: Martin G. Jones, Jr. of
Chaumont, NY; Malcolm B. Jones of Cape Vincent, NY; Marsha Jones Howard of
Broken Arrow, OK; Michael F. Jones of Machesney Park, IL; Melanie Jones Kellum of
Kernersville, NC; and Mark A. Jones of Reykjavik, Iceland.

Marty began his career at George Brothers Hardware in Chaumont, NY in 1954.
He started his own plumbing and electrician business, Marty’s Plumb Shop in 1968. He
later went to work for Wick’s Lumber and finished his career with Burkhardt’s Plumbing
in Watertown. He retired from there in 1996.

During his life, Marty was extremely active with many organizations. He was a
long-time member of the Chaumont Masonic Lodge 172, receiving a 60-year lifetime
award in 2024. He remained active in music as a long-time member of the Islander
Barbershop Chorus and then the Antwerp Drum and Bugle Corp. He played the
Baritone Bugle with the Bugle Corp until he was 88 years old. With the Corp he took
part in parades and concerts, entertaining crowds and leaving a lasting legacy. Over
the years he was very active with organizations at Lyme Central School, including
making sets for school plays and making a LYME sign which many graduates of LCS
take pictures at. He is well known for his amazing woodwork. He was a Deacon, an
Elder, and an avid choir member at Chaumont Presbyterian Church for about 70 years.
The choir loft was named Martin and Jeanett Jones Choir Loft recently. He was a
mainstay for church maintenance, including keeping the walks plowed in the winter and
lawn mowed in the summer until he was 90 years old. One of his greatest joys was
attending sporting events, music events, and plays that his children took part in. He
was an avid canoe racer over the years, and included his family in this endeavor,
spearheading the Chaumont Annual Canoe Race in the 1974 Chaumont Centennial,
and coming in second place in the family division of the Great Race in Auburn NY in 1980. He was a Boy Scout Leader, an Explorer Leader, and active on Boy Scout
Committees for many years in Chaumont. Later in life, he and Jeanette traveled the
country in their van to spend time with their children and grandchildren, including a 3-
month trip on his retirement that took them across Canada to Alaska. This allowed them
to visit every state in the continental United States.

As a father, Marty encouraged all of his children to go to college. Based on this,
3 were teachers, one a mechanical engineer, one an assistant to the Clerk of Superior
Court, and one an IT specialist.

Marty is survived by his wife Jeanette; his sister Elgitha Jones Peebles; his
children Martin Jr.; Malcolm; Marsha and her husband Bruce Howard; Michael and his
wife Judy; Melanie and her husband Mason Kellum; and Mark and his wife Lilja. He
was blessed with 12 grandchildren and 11 great children. There are many cousins,
nieces and nephews.

Calling Hours are at Chaumont Presbyterian Church on Main Street, Chaumont,
NY Monday, March 16, from 1:00-3:00 PM. The funeral service will begin at 3:00 until
completed. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to either 1) the Chaumont
Presbyterian Church Organ Fund to refurbish the over 100-year-old pipe organ, in
Memory of Martin G. Jones, Sr. or 2) the Lyme Scholarship Fund, through the Northern
New York Community Fund (NNYCF) 131 Washington St., Watertown, NY 13601.

Online condolences may be made at www.clevelandfhinc.com

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