Father Robert S. Jones, a priest of the diocese for nearly six decades, passed away Sunday, July 22. He was 83 years old.
Father Jones attended Blessed Sacrament and St. Francis de Sales High School in Utica and went on to attend Le Moyne College in Syracuse and St. Bernard’s Seminary in Rochester.
In his nearly 60 years as a priest, Father Jones served as associate pastor of St. Paul’s in Oswego, St. John’s in Oswego, Holy Trinity in Syracuse, St. Anthony of Padua in Syracuse, St. Vincent de Paul in Syracuse, and St. Matthew’s in East Syracuse; he served as pastor of St. Mary’s in Cleveland and St. Bernadette’s in Constantia. He also served as a faculty member at Oswego Catholic High School.
Since 1992, Father Jones served at Unity Acres, a house of hospitality in Orwell for men who are homeless.
“I think the best part of my priesthood would be the giving of comfort and encouragement to people,” Father Jones told the Sun on the occasion of his 50th jubilee in 2010.
Calling hours for Father Jones will be held at St. Lucy’s Church, 432 Gifford St., Syracuse, on Tuesday, July 24, from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by the Vigil for a Deceased Priest. On Wednesday, July 25, there will be calling hours from 9 to 11 a.m. at Unity Acres in Orwell, followed by the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Private burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in DeWitt on Thursday, July 26.
