Gareth Morris Jones

Gareth Morris Jones was born January 14, 1950, in Tandderwen Nursing Home to Myfanwy (Williams) and Pryce Morris Jones.  In his youth, they lived at Tre Morfa farm, Ty’n y Groes, and his early years were spent working and playing alongside his three brothers, Elwyn, Rhys and Richard, many cousins and beloved uncles in the countryside and family farms of Tre Morfa, Bron Pystill (Betws yn Rhos) and Cilmawr (Croesoswallt).  At age 15, he joined the plumbing trade, working in Cardigan for “P M Jones and Sons” – alongside his father, a master plumber and central heating engineer.  A blind date organized by friends introduced him to Rosemary (nee Skillern). They were married and, in 1976, immigrated to Canada, arriving in a country they knew little about to start a new life together with two suitcases and a sense of adventure.

Learning about Canada as he went, Gareth moved first from Edmonton to Ft. McMurray, then Calgary, before settling on Vancouver Island's Cowichan Valley in 1986. By this time they had two sons, Dewi Morris (Kelly) and Glyn Morris (Harriet), and had made many friends along the way.

Working in Canada as a pipefitter, Gareth was a proud, longtime member of United Association Local 170. His trade took him across Western Canada and the United States; known for his exceptional skill, he was often selected for the most difficult jobs. Dewi, working in the same industry as Gareth, was told more than once by industry veterans Gareth was the best pipefitter they had ever known.

Gareth had an insatiable appetite for exploration and adventure. Travel in retirement took him around the world to 26 countries, with many more places yet to be seen. Gareth loved the outdoors and passionately cycled, hiked, kayaked, climbed mountains, and exhaustively explored the backroads of his beloved Vancouver Island. And while he became a very proud Canadian he retained a strong love and connection to his Welsh roots, known to knock on a stranger’s door if he saw the Welsh flag flying.  He made frequent trips to his homeland of North Wales, and friends and family there would often remark that Gareth spoke better Welsh than they did! Later in life, Gareth met Shannon, who shared his passion for life, and they enjoyed many adventures, travels, and time together.  Gareth also became a loving Taid to grandsons Haralabos Morris, Taylor Morris and Minas Morris, and granddaughter Tegan Rosemary Clare.

Gareth was never known to leave a job half done nor to have met anything broken he was unable to fix. By always being there to help a neighbour or friend in need, by making great personal sacrifices to provide opportunities for his sons he had never had, and by showing you can enjoy life and have a little fun along the way, he showed his sons what it means to be a man.

Out of respect for his wishes, there will be no funeral service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Children's Wish Foundation. You can also simply be kind to a stranger, lend a hand to someone in need, or travel to someplace you've never been—no matter how close or how far. A Celebration of Life will be planned, and details will be available on social media (Facebook).

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