MOUNTAINEER HALL OF FAMER RAY JONES PASSES AWAY AT AGE 86
It is with deep sadness we share the news of the passing of Ray Jones (Jonesy) on July 22, 2021. Our sincere condolences to Ray's wife Patricia, daughters Janice and Jodi, and their 3 grandchildren and great grandchild. Ray was 86.
Jonesy was inducted into the Mohawk College Mountaineer Hall of Fame in 2003.
Ray Jones provided quality care and athletic injury treatment for Mohawk College student-athletes for over 35 years. "Jonesy" started working with Mohawk College, at the Hamilton Institute of Technology (HIT), with Hall of Fame Director Joe Marko in the late 1960's. Ray provided on-site support and rehabilitation programs for Varsity, Intramural and Academic programs through the years with unparalleled expertise. Ray generously volunteered his services far too often, always with an infectious smile and accompanying story. His years of experience with the Canadian Olympic Basketball program and the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL equipped Ray with technical knowledge and background that provided world-class service and care for Mohawk College and the Ontario College Athletic Association (OCAA) community.
Ray Jones touched many lives both personally and professionally over the years.
Dr. David Levy, Sports Medicine Specialist and Team Physician to the Hamilton Tiger Cats for 45 seasons.
"Well, what can I say about Ray Jones. He was one of a kind. The last of a breed of folks that worked on injured athletes and were known as "trainers". Jonesy was a big fellow, who could be a touch gruff , but he always had a players best interest at heart. When he was in the training room… You knew it! HE was the 'elephant in the room' and it was HIS court. He bled Black & Gold and enjoyed his years with the Hamilton Ti-Cats, only giving that life up when his knees demanded he do so.
He deeply loved his family and they will miss him dearly, and Jonsey will definitely be remembered by ALL who knew him."
Laurie Cahill, former Athletic Director, Mohawk College.
"In the 1970's there were no such services as Athletic Therapy for the public. In Hamilton, if you had a sports injury you were told rest, ice, and minimum 3 weeks off. There were long lines outside the Jones residence in Hamilton, hoping Ray's expertise would offer a solution to rehabilitate athletes sooner to allow them to play. Jonesy never contravened medical opinion, but so often helped athletes return to action sooner through a more aggressive therapeutic approach. More importantly, he educated thousands on how to manage their sport injury with exercise and therapy.
Ray always helped Mohawk College working on site for games and OCAA Championships whenever we asked".
Dave Gotts, former Athletic Director, Lambton College
"Jonesy was one of a kind, an incredible supporter of student-athletes and wonderful influence to all he touched. He was a pioneer in College athletic therapy and led the way in what the OCAA provides our athletes today."
Despite years of athletic therapy experience with amateur sports, Ray required educational credentials to gain professional work. He enrolled and graduated from the Sports Injury Program at Sheridan College in the late 1970's.
This resulted in Ray being named Head Trainer of the Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL in 1980.
Ernie Durocher, former Athletic Therapist, Fanshawe College.
"I was in Ray's class at Sheridan in 1976. Jonesy was well known to us all in the class because of his work in the field. He was an inspiration to us all because there were few Canadians getting hired for full time jobs with professional teams.
Often in class, our Professor would call on Ray for contemporary comment on therapy applications.
Once in our anatomy class we were doing self examinations. Someone who got paired with Ray could never find his knee caps from all the surgery Ray had on his knees. We howled!"
Ray's personal and professional accomplishments include:
Head Trainer Hamilton Tiger Cats (CFL) 1980-1994
- Grey Cup Champions (1986)
Manager/Trainer Canadian Men's Basketball Team 1974-1980
- Worked with legendary Coach Jack Donahue
- Helped Canada to 4th place finish at Montreal Olympics (1976)
Inducted Mohawk College Mountaineer Hall of Fame 2003
Inducted into Basketball Canada Hall of Fame July 2007
Original Member Canadian Athletic Trainers Association (CATA)
CANUSA games Men's Basketball Convenor for 40 years
- Annual Competition with Flint, Michigan
Founding Member of Hamilton Basketball Association
Ass't Trainer Hamilton Kilty B's Hockey OHA Jr. B 26 years
Served as Trainer/Manager for many Hamilton Amateur Teams
- Won 4 National Championships
- Won 2 International Championships
- Received 2 City of Hamilton Civic Rings
Served as President of Big 4 Fastball league in 1970's
Source: Mohawk Mountaineers