James M. Jones

James M. Jones, a life-long resident of Rockland County, died November 12, 2013 at his vacation home in Bluffton, South Carolina. Born in Haverstraw on March 1, 1930 to John Francis Jones and Rose Brophy, he attended St. Peter's School and Haverstraw High School. After military service, he earned degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University and Columbia University's School of Public Health, and became one of leading voices in the push for an integrated health system in Rockland County in the early and mid-1960s. He served as Rockland County's first Commissioner of Health and Hospitals and as a chief executive with the Robert L Yeager Health Center at Summit Park. After his retirement from public service, he was chief operating officer of Good Samaritan Hospital. His achievements to improve the health and well-being of the citizens of Rockland County have been memorialized with many honors and awards. Jones was one of the founding parishioners of St Boniface Roman Catholic Church, and served on the board of many civic and community organizations, including Camp Jawonio and United Hospice of Rockland. He also taught as an adjunct professor of epidemiology at the New School for Social Research. He was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Carol Hahn Jones, his brothers John, Victor, Charles and his sisters Rose and Mary. Surviving him is his wife, Elisabeth Edwards Jones; his brother Sylvester of Stony Point; his children Lauren of Arlington, VA; James of West Park, NY; and Gail Jones (Stephen) Godek of Potomac Falls, VA. He also leaves behind two grandsons, Michael and Matthew Godek, and dozens of nieces of nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to Memory Matters (www.memory-matters.org) and Hospice Care of the Lowcountry (www.hospicecarelc.org) The family will be receiving friends from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., Monday, November 18, 2013 at Sauls Funeral of Bluffton, 90 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton, SC 29910. Final services and burial will take place in Haverstraw, NY under the direction of George M. Holt Funeral Home with visiting hours from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., Sunday, November 24, 2013 at George M. Holt Funeral Home in Haverstraw, NY. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 25, 2013 at St. Peters Church in Haverstraw, NY with burial following at Mt. Repose Cemetery. Sauls Funeral Home of Bluffton is in charge of local arrangements. The family will be receiving friends from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., Monday, November 18, 2013 at Sauls Funeral of Bluffton, 90 Simmonsville Road, Bluffton, SC 29910. Final services and burial will take place in Haverstraw, NY under the direction of George M. Holt Funeral Home with visiting hours from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 â