Sheldon Atwell Jones, age 84, formerly of Concord, MA, died of Alzheimer’s on June 9, at home in Wolfeboro, NH, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Priscilla Hatch Jones; and daughters, Sarah (Todd Watts and son Angus) and Abigail (Matthew Herriott and daughters, Phoebe and Eloise). Sheldon was born in Melrose, MA to Sheldon Atwell Jones and Hannah Andrews Jones. He graduated from Melrose High School and Yale before spending the next three years in the Navy, where he developed his lifelong passion for boats and sailing.
After his ROTC commitment ended, he graduated from Harvard Law School and continued to serve in the Naval reserves for several years. Sheldon began his law career in Boston with Gaston, Snow, Motley & Holt, which later merged with Ely Bartlett. In l987, he and two partners left the firm to open the Boston office of Dechert, Price & Rhoads, a Philadelphia firm. In January, 2001, Sheldon opened the Dechert office in Newport Beach, CA, where he stayed until his retirement. A year later, he and Priscilla moved to Wolfeboro to be closer to their cottage.
As impressive as his career was, his identity was not limited to his professional life. A deeply ethical and kind man, his quick wit and absurd sense of humor were legendary. His interests and passions ranged from his adored grandchildren to sailing in the British Virgin Islands; from antique cars to skiing and hiking in New Hampshire; from the Boston Symphony Orchestra to cigars and gin and tonics on the deck of the family cottage on Lake Wentworth; from fishing to traveling to volunteering for various local causes and rescuing senior dogs (mostly labradors). He loved language, delighting in horrible puns, and was pleased to see some of his letters published in the New York Times. The family’s consummate toastmaster, Sheldon could always be relied upon to offer pithy words of wisdom to commemorate holidays, special events, weddings and birthdays in his measured baritone. He leaves behind an enormous, unfillable void. A private service was held for immediate family. In Sheldon’s memory, please consider donating to the Wentworth Watershed Association, 591-B Center Street, Wolfeboro, NH 03894 or Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Fund, FDR Station, PO Box 220, New York, NY 10150.