Anthony FORD-JONES

1948 - 2022

ANTHONY ERIC ANDRE FORD-JONES MBBS November 18, 1948 - March 31, 2022 With profound sadness and eternal gratitude for his life, the family of Anthony Ford-Jones announce his peaceful passing immersed in love. Devoted husband and dear soulmate of Lee (née Pearson), beloved father of Carrie (Jeff Butt) and Polly (Abbi Olanbiwonnu) and wonderful Bampa to eight dear grandchildren Dylan, Carys, Philippa, Nella, Finnian, Sebastian, Jude and Levi. Dear brother of Mimi (David Scott) and brother-in-law to Brian Pearson (Lesley), the late John Pearson (Marianne) and many deeply treasured nieces, nephews and cousins in Canada, the UK, France and New Zealand. Son of the late Lt. Col Mike and Marzi Ford-Jones. Beloved and respected Paediatrician in Burlington, Ontario for 40 years. He leaves many incredible colleagues in paediatrics, EMS, and nursing among others. Nothing has given him more delight than the lives of his daughters, Carrie and Polly, and their extra special efforts in the two years of his illness meant everything to him. Anthony, born in Salisbury, UK and a boarding school pupil from the age of 9 years, was especially influenced by his years at the Benedictine school at Ampleforth Abbey in Yorkshire and monks there with whom he remained in contact throughout his life. Following medical education at Guy's Hospital in London, he came to Canada in 1974, continuing his paediatric education in Kingston, St. John's, Newfoundland and Montreal. Anthony made the most of life, constitutionally happy and believing that he could, by being happy, make the world a happier place. Forever humble, he met each and every person and situation assuming he could learn something. Intensely curious and with an ever solid commitment to trying to do the right thing, he took the time to read and learn with remarkable consistency, whatever the topic. Contrary opinions made him curious, sparked his sense of fairness and, ever patient, he could be counted on for considered thoughts. Anthony had a deep and abiding love of music, whether listening, playing his joyful button accordion, or choral singing. He read widely, loved words and languages and immensely enjoyed photography. He found cooking with care, however simple, to be a great source of joy. There is nothing he would not try to fix in his workshop and while he believed in do-it-yourself, (and thrift), new technologies intrigued him. He loved to retreat to Bright's Grove and revelled in the day to day gratitude of this community for their local natural beauty and life. He advocated locally for children and youth in many ways. He served breakfasts regularly at the Rotary School-based Breakfast Program, waffles and smoothies. He presented at City Hall after rallying medical colleagues to declare an environmental emergency. Among many activities, he served on the Boards of the Canadian Paediatric Society and the medical journal Paediatrics and Child Health, and was recognized in 2014 with the Society's great honour, Distinguished Community Paediatician Award. He enriched and enabled his wife's work beyond measure. The extraordinary loving care of friends and colleagues especially his partner Mohanad Al- Gazi and many other so very treasured people, everyone, meant so much to him. Special thanks for truly exceptional care at the Joseph Brant Hospital, the Cancer Clinic and Dr. Phillips, Palliative Care Team with Dr. Park, Dr. Elmazariky, ER Staff and the Paramedics, Acclaim Health Community Staff and other great community services as well as Pancreatic Cancer Researchers Drs. Ken Olive and Grainne O'Kane. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to the Burlington Civic Chorale (link for Interac Transfer bcchorale2019@gmail.com), Halton Learning Foundation, Reach Out Center for Kids (ROCK) and Rotary. Visitation will be held Friday, April 8 from 3-5 pm and 7-9 pm at Smith's Funeral Home, 1167 Guelph Line (one stop light north of the QEW), Burlington (905-632-3333). Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 9 at 11 am at St. Christopher's Anglican Church, 662 Guelph Line, with Rev. Canon Dr. Penny Anderson. Masks are required to reduce risk of COVID transmission. Private family interment. When I am Among the Trees by Mary Oliver When I am among the trees, especially the willows and the honey locust, equally the beech, the oaks and the pines, they give off such hints of gladness I would almost say that they save me, and daily. I am so distant from the hope of myself, in which I have goodness, and discernment, and never hurry through the world but walk slowly, and bow often. Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, "Stay awhile." The light flows from their branches. And they call again, "It's simple," they say, "and you too have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine." www.smithsfh.com