Everyone at Oakley CC is deeply saddened by the passing of Bob Jones, a true hero of our club over the past decade.
As the grandfather of First XI Skipper and Club Secretary Dan Jones, Bob (often dragging along his great friend, Ken) made Oakley his retirement project, pouring his time and skill into every corner of the club. From doors and shelves to fences and decking, Bob’s craftsmanship was second to none.
But Bob didn’t stop there. When we undertook the clubhouse extension a few years ago, he took on the role of project manager—entirely voluntarily. He kept the builders accountable, ensuring every detail was done right. Without Bob’s dedication, there’s no doubt we would have struggled to get the job completed to the standard we needed.
The extension project turned out far more than a part-time project, but Bob never flinched or asked for praise or recognition. He loved it. Still, we made sure he knew how much we appreciated him, and it was great seeing Bob win a HCB Volunteer Award a couple of years ago. He was well chuffed with that.
On a personal note, I’ll never forget Bob’s kindness beyond the cricket field. A few years back, I was having a kitchen fitted at home, and when the contractor let me down, I turned to Bob for help. For three solid days, I worked as his semi-useful labourer whilst he fixed everything with his usual precision and pride. When I tried to thank him, he simply said, “Call it a thank you for making Oakley a great place for Daniel to play cricket.” Even now, that generosity brings a lump to my throat.
So while we say goodbye with heavy hearts, we also take comfort in knowing Bob lived a good life—one filled with purpose, friendship, and the joy of giving back. Oakley CC was a special place for him, but not nearly as special as he was to Oakley CC.
Rest in peace, Bob. You will never be forgotten.
*The picture is of Bob (on the right) with his great friend, Ken Day.