By Jackson Russell
The Romsey community is mourning the loss of Australian test cricketer Dean Jones, who passed away at the age of 59.
Jones suffered a heart attack while in Mumbai, India working for Indian Premier League broadcaster Star Sports.
Jones is survived by his daughters Phoebe and Isabella and wife Jane.
Ms Jones told cricket.com.au that her husband lived his life with every bit of energy at his disposal.
“He leaves us with so many wonderful memories that will last forever. At this challenging time, when our grief is so raw, we have drawn much consolation from the many messages of goodwill and support from so many people around the world,” she said.
Jones was a significant figure at Romsey Park and was a member of the Romsey Golf Club since the early 1990s.
He won club championships in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2017 and was also a member of the club’s successful Dalhousie District Golf Association scratch pennant teams in 2002 and 2010.
Romsey Golf Club president Anthony Lakey said Jones was a tremendously positive person in all aspects of his life.
“He was always on the lookout for anything that could improve the course or the club. It could be something he saw in Mumbai or Dubai, he was always on the lookout,” Lakey said.
“He was tremendously interested in teaching and supporting young golfers, and had a tremendous effect on some young golfers who are now in their 20s.”
Lakey said Jones was a valuable member of the club.
“[He was] very supportive of our plans and what we were trying to do to improve the club and Romsey Park,” he said.
“He was a lovely person. He’ll be sadly missed.”
With the cricket club just a pitching wedge away from the golf club at Romsey Park, Jones would pop into the club to offer words of wisdom to junior players in the nets and played the occasional match for Romsey well into his 40s.
Romsey Cricket Club president Michael Richardson said Jones was a ‘real presence’ in Romsey Park.
“I can remember the day he played cricket for Romsey in his early 40s, you couldn’t get a park. He made 80 and it was like a footy crowd. It was outstanding,” he said.
“If he was in Romsey, he’d end up down the park. You could walk your dog down the park and see Dean hitting 1000 golf balls.
“The community just lost a real good bloke. He was proud he was from Romsey.”
