A HUNDRED years of love, friendship and service to the nation given by a devoted local legend are being remembered across Helensburgh and Lomond this week.
Dennis 'Spike' Jones died last week, barely a month after he, his family and his many friends across the local area celebrated his 100th birthday at a series of parties in Garelochhead, Helensburgh and Cardross.
The Shandon resident was a familiar face not only from decades of service to the Royal Navy and then the Royal British Legion, but to community groups and even national TV audiences.
"He was a true hero," daughter Diane Carson told the Advertiser.
"You never think your parents are going to live to 100."
Dennis kept going right until the end, only stepping down as president of the Legion's Helensburgh and District Branch the Monday before he passed away.
Born on June 13, 1924, Dennis Alexander Jones joined the Royal Navy at the age of 16 and his career at sea saw him serve in the Battle of the Atlantic and later the Pacific theatre and the Korean War.
Rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, he retired at the age of 50 - then promptly rejoined as a civil servant.
"He had a wonderful career," Diane said. "My mother always said the Royal Navy was his first love."
But it was wife Eve who was his true love, with a marriage that spanned seven decades. She passed away seven years ago, just days after the couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
And there wasn't a day that went by that Dennis didn't mention her.
Diane and her family live in the US, but they spoke every day. Technology didn't put Dennis off.
"Even though we were 4,000 miles away, we Facetimed every day," she said. "Even at 100, he used an iPhone."
But those daily connections are not the same as physically living close by. And Diane said she was grateful for the community that surrounded her dad across Helensburgh and Lomond.
He regularly attended meetings of the Garelochhead Station Trust, a local charity set up to support former service personnel, and of the Helensburgh Probus Club for retired businessmen and professionals, alternating between them each week.
"They got right behind him - they were his support," said Diane.
"He found these groups, and they took him in like he was family."
Both paid tribute to Dennis after his passing.
A spokesperson for the Garelochhead Station Trust told the Advertiser: "Dennis, aka Spike, Jones was such a large part of the GST family.
"His zest for life not only inspired our members, but endeared him to all that met him.
"From his big smile and warm hugs, to his fascinating stories about his time in the military, he was able to connect with all ages.
"A gentleman through and through, Spike's passing will leave a huge hole in the heart of GST.
"Our thoughts and hearts are with his daughter Diane, son-in-law John, and all of his very much loved family.
"Rest easy now, Spike. Your watch is done."
And Douglas Thomson, secretary of Helensburgh and District Probus, said: "Dennis was a dear and valued friend of long standing. He was one of three life members of Probus and was a past president who served in the role in 1994-95.
"He was totally committed to all the many organisations of which he was a member.
"He would dominate the conversation, quite delightfully, when collected by car, having a great memory for people and places.
"He came faithfully on alternate Tuesday mornings to Probus, the intervening week being spent with veterans of the Garelochhead Station Trust.
"He was connected with several other organisations and pursuits, including Scottish country dancing, which he enjoyed with Evelyn.
"He only gave up driving a couple of years ago when told to by his loving daughter Diane.
"Latterly he lived on his own in his Shandon cottage, happily supported by kindly neighbours, friends and carers.
"He was delighted to receive his card from the King and Queen to celebrate his recent 100th birthday.
"He was an engaging character and very well respected friend."
To the public, Dennis was one of the last veterans of almost forgotten wars generations in the past.
Aged 99, he was on stage next to Princess Anne at the Royal Albert Hall last year, during the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic and 70 years since the Korean War.
And earlier this year he was involved in the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
By his own admission, Dennis gave a lifetime of service to the country.
“It was something we got on with,” Atlantic Star medal holder Dennis told the Advertiser last year.
“We didn’t consider that we were in the middle of a rather nasty occasion for the next two, three or more years.
“You were in trouble on two fronts: there was the cold in the winter, and nasty things below you.
“I joined as a boy; I thought it would be a bit of an exciting caper. But it’s a lot different."
Dennis said: “In the background you know you’ve got to keep at it and do what you’re out there to do.
"Practically all of my life has been involved in the navy.
"While you’re out there, you do think you’re out to whack these other guys - you are the shield.
“In your mind, you always are aware you are fighting on behalf of your country and your friends and your family. You have that constant pride in what you’re doing.
“You have that knowledge behind you, that you are the shield for your friends, your family and your country.”
Janet Marshall, from the armed forces familes charity SSAFA, which organised the last of Dennis's 100th birthday parties, at the Ardardan Estate near Cardross, said: "When we hear the words 'a life long and well lived', that never seems more appropriate that for a man such as Spike, with such a remarkable level of service for his country from WW2 onwards.
"We maybe did not know him that long, but in the short time we knew him, his kindness, humour and generosity of spirit shone through.
"Always with a glint in his eye, he was a truly remarkable gentleman."
For all that lifetime of service, at his funeral next week, Dennis will be keenly missed by his many friends and the small family he liked to say was a "little family but a happy little family".
Dennis first planned his funeral 50 years ago, and a little more recently, put music on to a memory stick in preparation. He has asked to be buried at sea.
The service will be held at 1.15pm on Monday, July 22 at Cardross Crematorium.
He will be lovingly remembered by daughter Diane Carson and her husband John MacPherson, grandson Alex and his wife Stephanie, and their children, Emma, Lucas and Alex.
Grandson Alex said Dennis gave his family a legacy that they hoped to live up to.
One hundred years of family, friendship and service is a model for anyone to aspire to.
Donations to Garelochhead Station Trust would be appreciated by the family in lieu of flowers.
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