Daniel Allen Jones Obituary

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It is with sadness beyond measure that we would like friends and family to know that our Darling Boy, Daniel (Dan) Allen Jones passed away on February 1st from a tragic balcony fall at his Toronto apartment two weeks before celebrating his 36th birthday. Born in Toronto to Yvonne Banks, Dan was adopted at the age of 5 by Judy Maidment and Allen Jones and was raised in High Park. When he was 11, he moved with his Mum, Dad and two yellow labs to Cambridge settling in the beautiful neighbourhood of East Galt close to much-loved friends, family, parks, shopping and schools. Dan leaves behind two beautiful cats, much-loved half-sisters, devoted friends and a large extended Jones/Maidment clan from coast-to-coast.

Dan was always a larger-than-life character who came into this world with boundless energy ready and eager to try anything at least once. He was academic, athletic, artistic, had an incredible sense of humour and a non-judgmental, caring and sensitive nature especially to those in need of support and comfort. Challenged with mental health issues from a young age, in his early teens Dan also sustained a compartment syndrome injury from an accident that ended his football career. Dan was supported by a whole host of consummate medical and allied health professionals who left no stone unturned in offering and delivering the help and services he needed when and wherever he needed it. Dan never allowed missteps and life's hiccups to define him and he gave new meaning to the now, frequently-overused word "resilience". Those who were lucky enough to know and love him marveled at his innate ability to bounce back after setbacks, regroup and begin anew. He never gave up on his belief that regardless of what's happened today that tomorrow would be better.

Employed at the tender age of 15 as a Telemarketer, Dan was an incredibly gifted salesman and had no trouble obtaining employment that took advantage of his superior communication and customer service skills. Even during the Pandemic, he secured two remote jobs working for well-known and respected employers. Overcoming numerous obstacles, he received his Ontario Secondary School Diploma and a special Excellence in Education Award from the Simcoe County Board of Education. Excited about his future, Dan recently began his studies in Information Systems Management at Toronto Metropolitan University where he hoped to put his excellent grasp of technology and all things computer-related to good use. He was an equally gifted graphic designer, artist and musician writing and producing his own music using a wide array of hi-tech equipment, multiple computers and five monitors that turned his office into something that looked like Mission Control at NASA!! He made a wonderful home for his two kitties: Onyx and Willow sacrificing human space for feline habitats wherever there was a nook and cranny available in his Studio Apartment.

We will miss talking about our shared and very interesting history together and all the wonderful times we had. We learned so much from him as we watched how skillfully he advocated for himself and others with challenges as he navigated the often choppy waters that life sometimes throws in our wake. As a self-confessed Cinephile from a young age, Dan enjoyed a Rom Com just as much as a Thriller. He had a sense of humour that was crafted and perfected by Seinfeld. We watched so many episodes of this gem; we could complete each other's sentences when recounting the scenes from our particular favourites.

We would like to thank our dear friends, our family and our Church Family for their unwavering love, support and guidance during all these years. You always made sure that Dan knew that he was loved and cared for. Special thanks, as well, to the many professionals that helped support Dan, the wonderful folks at Lutherwood and, most recently, Progress House along with Amanda Dam and Dr. Paul Benassi at CAMH (the Centre for Addition and Mental Health). You were always there to acknowledge and celebrate his many strengths and gifts and give him a helping hand when the road got bumpy.

Another special thanks to Dr. John Graham who became a great friend to Dan and spent a fortune keeping him supplied with Science magazines. No amount of travel was too much for John and Dan was so grateful for all the walkabouts and meals you shared together catching up and talking about life. Dan recently connected with his Biological Mum, Yvonne Banks, and they were just getting to know each other. Our thanks to Yvonne and to his half-sisters Nikki and Tyler for making Dan feel so welcomed and loved.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to the DWAYNE D. BUDGELL Funeral Home, 1105 Rest Acres Road, Paris, Ontario. A celebration of Dan's life will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 2 p.m. at the Cambridge Salvation Army, 12 Shade Street, Cambridge, Ontario. To honour Dan's memory, planting a tree or making a donation to either the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) (https://www.camh.ca) or the Cambridge Salvation Army (https://www.tsacambridgeon.org) would be appreciated by his family.