BRUNSWICK – Ernest Oscar “Grampy” Jones, 95, died on April 28, 2019, in Brunswick. He was born on Jan. 22, 1924, in Dennysville, Maine, the oldest child of Arnold and Lillian Leighton Jones.

Raised on a farm in Dennysville, he trained as a machinist in Dexter and went to work in Portland. In 1943, the Portland draft board decided that, like his father, Grampy would make a good artilleryman, and off he went to fight in World War II along with many others of the Greatest Generation.  Serving in the 41St Field Artillery of the 3rd Infantry division, he first saw action in the North Africa campaign, and then in 1944 for his 20th birthday landed on the Anzio Beachhead. He was later awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received during the fighting in the Colmar Pocket. Years later, he served as treasurer of the local chapter of the Disabled American Veterans, and was active in reunions of the 3rd Infantry Division. One of his family’s proudest moments was his being selected to serve as the Grand Marshall of the Brunswick Memorial Day Parade in 2010.

Upon his return from Europe he experienced a life altering moment-he met Muriel Carter, the woman who became the love of his life, his inseparable companion and wife of 71 years. Together they cared for newborn grandchildren, helped their children and grandchildren with house projects, and devoted many hours to their craft activities. In particular, his machinist training led to a keen proficiency in woodworking, with Grampy’s back scratchers much coveted by fans across the country, and his fine furniture destined to be passed down through future generations of family members.

An expert on anything with wheels, after the war, Grampy worked as a car mechanic in Eastport and then for 30 years as a mechanic on heavy construction equipment for Lane Construction in Brunswick. When presented with an equipment problem that seemed unsolvable, the reaction was always the same: “Give it to Jonesy, he can fix anything.”

We will all miss Grampy’s jovial demeanor and unique Maine-isms, including such gems as “Jumped Up Jenny Ren” and “Slick as a Hound’s Tooth.”

He is survived by his son, Roger Jones and his wife, Donna, of Newburyport, Mass., and his daughter, Peggy Jones Bernstein and her husband, Barry, of Nashville, Tenn.; his grandchildren, Stephanie Jones Renaud and her husband, Pierre, of Lewiston, Maine, Allison Jones Taylor and her husband, Russ, of Shapleigh, Maine, Heather Jones of Henniker, N.H., Thomas Bernstein and his wife, Betsy, of Nashville, Tenn., and Sarah Bernstein Eisele and her husband, Dennis, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; his great-grandchildren, Devin Taylor, Mia Renaud, Sally Bernstein, Maggie Bernstein, and Libby Eisele; his sister, Lorene Cook of Georgia; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Muriel Carter Jones; and his brother, Byron Jones.

The family would like to express its appreciation to the staff of Sunnybrook for its loving care over the last eight years, to Randy and Marjorie Wise and Maxine and Larry Caton for always lending a helping hand, and to Brenda and Doug Rice of Brunswick for their love and attention these many years.

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, at Bracket Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick, with a funeral service at 1 p.m. Interment will be at the Varney Cemetery in Brunswick. Condolences can be expressed to the family at www.brackettfh.com

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to the:

Disabled American Veterans,
VARO-Medical Center
P.O. Box 3151
Augusta, ME 04330-3151

or a veterans’ charity of your choice.