Laurence W. Jones Jr.

Laurence "Larry" W. Jones Jr., age 90, a resident of Middleboro, died peacefully at his home on November 18, 2025. Larry was born on January 14, 1935, in Brockton, Massachusetts. He was married on January 12, 1957, to Shirley (Jennings), the love of his life. He was preceded in death by Shirley in 2017, with whom he shared 60 years of marriage.

He was the son of the late Laurence W. Jones Sr. and Beatrice Hoxie Jones. Larry graduated from Brockton High School in the Class of 1953 and from the Northeast School of Broadcasting in Boston. After completing his studies, he worked at several radio stations throughout New England including WLIS in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, WPOP in Hartford, Connecticut, WERI in Westerly, Rhode Island, and WKBR in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Larry and Shirley returned to Brockton in 1960. Upon his return, Larry worked at WBET and WOKW as an announcer and news director. Larry interviewed many notable figures including Tony Bennett, George H. Bush, Buffalo Bob and others. While at WOKW he hosted the show Jukebox Saturday Night, which featured big band music from the 1930's and 1940's. Larry went on to work as an insurance agent with Prudential in Brockton and later as a Division Manager in Dedham for 25 years. After retiring from Prudential, he continued to work as a self-employed financial advisor until his full retirement in 2016. He also spent several years working in real estate while continuing his work in broadcasting and insurance. Additionally, Larry served in the Massachusetts National Guard and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Larry and Shirley enjoyed skiing throughout New England. After their children began skiing, they decided to take up the sport in their mid-40's rather than spend the day in the ski lodge. They spent many winters on the slopes of New Hampshire and Vermont and continued skiing for the next 25 years. Larry contributed a weekly ski column to several local newspapers, where he reviewed snow conditions and shared first-hand accounts of his skiing adventures. He also had a cable news show where "Larry Downhill Jones" updated viewers on ski conditions and other interesting ski-related events. Larry and Shirley enjoyed time at their second home in Weirs Beach, New Hampshire during the 1990's. They loved their trips to Disney World with their grandchildren and traveled to Aruba and many other locations in the Caribbean.

In 2004, Larry and Shirley moved to Oak Point in Middleboro where he has lived for the past 21 years. Larry enjoyed the pool room, the bocce court, and bowling at the Alley Kat, earning several notable Oak Point championships.

Larry is survived by his four children: Dean and his wife Donna Jones of Brockton, Lisa and her husband Ezzat Habboub of Middleboro, Linda and her husband Scott Zabik of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Susan Babij of Wareham; nine grandchildren: William Babij, Sarah DeBrito, Melissa Dyer, Emily Kachinske, Brian Jones, Hayley Zabik, Megan Zabik, Julie Zabik, and Abigail Murphy; five great grandchildren: Benjamin, Christopher, Grayson, Leo and Roman; and his sister Elizabeth "Libby" Mucci of Norwalk, Connecticut. Larry is lovingly remembered by his dear companion Betsy Esters, with whom he shared a special relationship during the past six years.

Memorial visitation for Larry will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm with a service following at 6:00 pm at the Dahlborg-MacNevin Funeral Home, 280 Bedford Street Lakeville, MA 02347

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