Conesus Lake, NY: Died peacefully January 4, 2011 surrounded by family and dearest friends at 74. He was born February 21, 1936 to James V and Bernadine Jones.
Mike left Charlotte High School at the age of 17 to become a congressional page in Washington, DC. After graduating from the page school and high school he went to Syracuse University where he received a Bachelors degree in Political Science in 1958. There began his lifelong passion for Syracuse Orange Athletics. Immediately following his graduation from SU he taught History at Coxsackie Prison before being drafted in the United States Army. Inspired by his father James V Jones, an attorney in Rochester, NY Mike decided to return to Syracuse University where he received his Juris Doctorate in Law.
Throughout his life he maintained a patriotic belief in America, our justice system and the core beliefs and history of our founding fathers. In this spirit, he began practiciing law with his father in Rochester and then later in Livingston County. Jones & Jones law offices later became Jones & Skivington in Geneseo, NY when he formed a partnership with his friend and colleague Peter Skivington.
He fell in love with the Genesee Valley, Conesus Lake, and the charm of the Finger Lakes region which led him to purchase a farm in Avon, Lookover Stallion Station. He lived there for more than thirty years and could be seen fox hunting, attending Rotary and Bar Association meetings, boating, and bounding up and down Main Street, Geneseo on his way to the courthouse or the Big Tree Inn. He also served as the Conesus Town Attorney for many years. He is known throughout the county by clients, colleagues, friends, and family as a “larger than life” personality who was always animated, passionate and fair in his dealings, a gifted attorney, and a fun-loving Irishman.
He is survived by his children Kerry (Jack) Stich of Pittsford, NY, Michael Jones of Livonia, NY and Tim (Molly) Jones of Philadelphia, PA; his grandchildren Clare & Tim Stich, Michael Joseph Jones, & Meghan, Abby, Patrick and Henry Jones; the mother of his children Marcia Rausch and her husband Joe Rausch; loving daughter in law Barb Jones; sister Rosemary Laragy of Rochester, NY and brother James Jones of Sun City, AZ; many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
Mike’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Matthew Gross, U of R Medical Center at Strong Memorial Hospital Dept of Nephrology for his constant friendship, wisdom and care over the past several years.
Family and friends may call Friday Jan 7 from 3 – 8 pm at Kevin W Dougherty Funeral Home 21 Big Tree St. Routes 15 & 20A, Livonia, NY. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, Jan 8 at 11am at St. Matthews Catholic Church, 6591 Richmond Mills Rd, Rt. 20A, Livonia, NY.
Contributions may be directed to Noyes Center for Kidney Disease and Dialysis Center in Partnership with Livingston County, 4616 Millenium Drive, Geneseo, NY 14454.
To send condolences or for further information please visit:
www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com