Herbert D. Jones

WEST HARTFORD, CT  - Herbert D. Jones, age 87, formerly of Leominster, MA and Senior Vice President of Foster Grant Co. for many years, died on June 6, 2018.His wife of 61 years, Vivienne (Goldfarb) Jones, died in 2015.  He leaves three sons, Gary Jones and his wife, Jill of West Hartford, CT, Brian Jones and his wife, Pamela of Franklin, MA and Richard Jones and his wife, Abigail Kramer of Brookline; a daughter, Patti Smith and her husband Rory Miller of Charlton; 12 grandchildren, Collin, Courtney, Joshua, Harrison, Samuel, Jonathan, Ethan, Rebecca, Aaron, Jessica, Elizabeth and Nathan; two great grandchildren Jack and Connor; and two brothers, Robert Jones and his wife, Florence of Silver Spring, MD and Harold Jones and his wife, Lillian of Alpharetta, GA.  He was predeceased by four sisters, Gladys Guethlen, Harriette Goodman, Greta Rittenburg and Laurel Cramer.Herb was born in Boston, a son of Alexander and Celia (Abrams) Jones and had lived in Leominster for 53 years before moving to West Hartford, Connecticut two and a half years ago. He graduated from the English High School and Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955.For many years, he was the Senior Vice President of Foster Grant in Leominster, where he was known for his innovative approaches to streamlining manufacturing and production, and for his care and concern for all employees of the company.  When Foster Grant closed, he worked for Sportsman's Plastics in Leominster for several years.Herb was a longtime board member and past President of Congregation Agudat Achim in Leominster. In 2008 he was awarded the Keeper of the Flame Award at the New England Region of Jewish Men’s Clubs. In 2014, Herb and Vivienne were honored together with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their leadership and commitment to their synagogue.Herb will be remembered for his devotion to his family and for sharing his love, wisdom and advice with generations of family members and friends.  He exemplified ingenuity, perseverance and integrity, and steadfastly championed the underdog and the disenfranchised. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 10 at Congregation Agudat Achim, 268 Washington Street, Leominster under the direction of Richard Perlman of Miles Funeral Home of Holden.  Burial will occur immediately thereafter in Agudas Achim Cemetery, 320 Rollstone Road, Fitchburg.Following the interment, a luncheon and memorial observance will be held at Congregation Agudat Achim.  A shiva minyan service will begin at 6 p.m.Memorial observance/shiva will continue on Monday June 11 at the residence of Patti Smith and Rory Miller, 267 N. Sturbridge Rd., Charlton, MA; Tuesday June 12 at the residence of Richard Jones and Abby Kramer, 17 Milton Road, Brookline, MA; Wednesday June 13 and Thursday June 14 at the Hoffman SummerWood Community, 160 Simsbury Road, West Hartford CT.  Shiva times are from 2PM to 4PM and from 7PM to 9PM, with a shiva minyan service beginning at 7 pm.Herb’s family wishes to express gratitude to the warm and caring staff and members of Hoffman SummerWood, where Herb made his home in his last years. Memorial contributions may be made to the Congregation Agudat Achim, 268 Washington Street, Leominster, MA 01453, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.