Ralph "Eddie" Edward Jones

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Ralph graduated East Detroit High School in 1962 and went on to further his education earning a Bachelor’s in Finance from Rutger’s University, during which time he also met the love of his life, Jean Jones, at Hahne & Co. in Newark, NJ. Ralph and Jeannie married and raised their three children in New Jersey then moved to Newtown, CT in 1984. They had just celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary this past August.

Ralph worked a corporate accountant for two major pharmaceutical companies, eventually leaving the corporate world as a chief financial officer and opening his own accounting firm until his retirement in 2016. However, the most important job Ralph did was being a full-time care giver to his wife Jeannie, who is in her final stages of Alzheimer’s.

On September 19th, Ralph celebrated 37 years of sobriety. The fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous was his second home and second family. AA was not just a program to him; every aspect of his life he tried his very best to live by the principles of AA. His gratitude for the program and fellowship was immeasurable. He believed in the power of one alcoholic helping another and gave back to the fellowship that had given him so much.

An avid sports fan, he faithfully cheered on the New York Jets for decades to which he had season tickets and tailgated at every home game. He was an enthusiastic golfer, and his favorite round of golf was played every June at the annual Wally Golf Tournament in honor of one of his closest friends, Walter Zolkiewicz, who he also shared a love and passion for jazz music as well as Trivial Pursuit games and Jersey Shore vacations with the entire Jones/Zolk clan.

His main sports passion was baseball. Ralph was a catcher who played since he was young, and played into his college years even trying out for the Chicago Cubs. He coached little league for many years in Morris Plains, NJ. He shared a love of sports with his son, Steve which grew into a lifelong tradition of playing APBA baseball, a treasured ritual that continued right up until the end of his life. Steve and Ralph were the foundation of a lifelong friendship who shared an extraordinary bond and were, in every sense, best friends.

In the days before their retirement and Jeannie’s illness, they both loved to travel. Their favorite getaways were visiting Maine, their place in Newport, Martha’s Vinyard, Nantucket and almost always had their children or grandchildren joining them.

No account of Ralph’s life would be complete without his beloved four-legged companion, Maestro. Walks with Maestro was never just a walk; there were always people to greet, conversations to enjoy and treats to receive for Maestro. For a man who made everyone always feel welcome, even his daily dog walks became a way of bringing people together.

Ralph was pre-deceased by his parents, Cecil and Frances Jones, as well as Maestro’s brother Spud.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Monaco Jones, his three children, Jennifer Jones Foley (Rich), Allison Comeau (Marc) and Stephen Jones (Kristin). His six grandchildren, Tyler and Trevor Jehle, Griffin and Megan Maguire, and Nina and Taylor Jones. Bonus grandchildren Julia, Erica and Adrianna Foley, Jake and Matthew Comeau, and great-granddaughter Nova McLennon Foley. Sister, Judy Beatty (Jerry) and nieces Jean, Michele and Amanda, and sister and brother-in-law Kathy & Ralph Monaco and nephews, David and Kevin. He would want us to mention other special people who were his family as well; Karen Gryctko, Mark & Erin Jehle, Rich Maguire, and Jeff, Eric & Gregg Zolkiewicz.

A celebration of life will be planned and announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the Jones Family kindly requests that donations be made in Ralph’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org/donate) honoring his unwavering love and devotion to his beloved wife, Jeannie, and supporting the countless families affected by Alzheimer’s Disease.

Although the seat behind home plate is now empty, the love, loyalty and lessons Ralph gave his family will always remain.

Ralph Edward Jones, Hall of Fame Class of 2026

Forever our Catcher. Forever our MVP.

July 3, 1944- October 9, 2026