Daniel Allen JONES

1987 - 2023

February 11, 1987 - February 1, 2023

It is with a 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 charming neighbourhood of East Galt close to much-loved friends, family, parks, shopping and schools. Dan leaves behind two beautiful, pampered cats, much-loved 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 taking time to reach out to those in need of support and comfort. Challenged with mental health issues from a young age, 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. He 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 the belief that regardless of what's happened today, tomorrow would be better.

Employed as a Telemarketer as soon as he could work, Dan was an incredibly gifted salesman and had no trouble obtaining employment that took advantage of his superior communication, interpersonal and customer service skills. Even during the Pandemic, he secured two remote jobs working for well-known and respected employers.He enjoyed special project work that required him to master then critique existing systems and implement enhancements. Overcoming numerous obstacles, he received his Ontario Secondary School Diploma and was awarded 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, lyricist 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.

As a self-confessed Cinephile from a young age, Dan loved movies enjoying a Rom Com just as much as a Thriller. "You've Got Mail" and all the "Die Hard" movies were among his favs. Introduced to Seinfeld at a young age, he had a sense of humour that was crafted and perfected by this gem. We watched so many episodes, we were able to complete each others sentences when recounting the scenes from our particular favourites.

We will miss talking about our shared and very interesting history together and all the wonderful times we had. We admired and learned so much from him as we watched how skillfully he advocated for himself to ensure his needs were met. He was always there with words of support and encouragement to others and used his superior communication skills to help those with similar challenges navigate the often choppy waters that life sometimes throws in our wake. We, frequently, don't know until our loved one is gone how important he was to others and what a difference he made in the many, many lives he touched.

We would like to thank whatever stars aligned all those years ago to have us chosen as Dan's folks. It was a sometimes-bumpy journey but we wouldn't change any part of it. Hearty thanks to our dear friends, our family and our Salvation Army 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 Addiction and Mental Health). Through calls and visits, you took time to acknowledge, encourage 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 phone calls, walk-abouts 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 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) or the Cambridge Salvation Army would be sincerely appreciated by his family.

Online condolences, donations or the purchase of a tree may be made at www.budgellfuneralhome.ca

BUDGELL's
(519)442-2200
Paris, ON.