Carl Jones

Carl Jay Jones affectionately known As "CJ", "Jonesy" or #418 to his friends, colleagues and loved ones was born in Cambridge, MA on January 20, 1954 to the late Nancy J. (Yarborough) Jones and Moses J. Jones. A lifelong resident of Cambridge, Carl was somewhat of a "Living Legend" who was respected and loved by all who had the opportunity to know him.

Carl was a friendly energetic child who was extremely outgoing with a very independent spirit. He enjoyed participating in sports and played baseball on a little league team where he met one of his oldest and dearest friends Rickey Hill and they remained close friends throughout the decades. In fact, he remained close friends with many of his elementary and high school classmates. Carl attended Webster Elementary School and Graduated from Morse Elementary School, then continued his education at Cambridge High And Latin where he Graduated in 1972. 

Carl had a very independent spirit and was eager to work and start earning his own money so before he turned 16 he persuasively convinced the Manager of The Peter Pan Restaurant in Fresh Pond to let him work as a Bus Boy and Dishwasher. From a young age, Carl was passionate about Menswear fashion and his sense of style was always "On-Trend" when it came to his wardrobe, he definitely had "SWAGGA!" He wore BUSINESS SUITS and carried a briefcase in HIGHSCHOOL! In fact, Carl was nominated and awarded Best Dressed in his graduating class. After graduating he worked in retail at The Harvard Coop as an Undercover Security Store Detective where I suspect, that besides getting paid...he was enticed by the benefit of a generous clothing discount as well as a stepping stone to his career. Carl was also quite serious about finances and the freedom that financial stability offered so to get a better understanding about managing his money, he became a Bank Teller at The Cambridge Savings Bank in Harvard Square. 

Throughout his high school years and into his Thirties, Carl was very athletically inclined and extremely meticulous about healthy living and maintaining a toned physique. Carl studied "Taekwondo" with a private instructor for many years where he traveled throughout New England and New York participating in tournaments and through his dedication to his craft, earned several awards and achieved a "Seventh Dan Brown Belt".

Carl was obsessed with Lincoln Continental and Cadillac Automobiles; his thought process was...the bigger, the better which also correlates with his LOVE OF MUSIC! To say that Carl was an "Avid Music Lover" would be an understatement!  Music was as much a part of his identity as his signature stylish wardrobe. Carl was always one of the first in his crew to run down to Skippy Whites's in Central Square to purchase the latest R & B Single. He had A pretty impressive record collection back in the day...Vinyl 45s and albums EVERYWHERE! Some of his favorite bands were the Delfonics, The Ojays, Temptations, The Ohio Players, The Persuaders and the list goes ON.  He was so passionate about his bands that he knew all of the musicians

' names and which members were original to the group and who were the recent additions! Attending live concerts and performances for National & Local New England bands was one of his all-time FAVORITE past times.  You could always find him faithfully supporting MANY New England local artists weekly at his regular spots Cathy Pacific, Polcari's and Foxwoods.

Whenever Carl had days off from work, he loved spending quality time with his family and friends and he was the glue that regularly got and kept everyone together to socialize, have a bite to eat, some cocktails, and enjoy each other's company while listening to live music all night. He had a variety of interests and thoroughly knew how to enjoy his leisure time. Loved attending live sporting events such as Basketball, Football and Heavyweight boxing but whenever he couldn’t see an event live, he'd often catch a game at a sports bar or on TV while relaxing at home. One of Carl's Favorite "Guilty-Pleasures" was heading to the race track...he definitely enjoyed those dogs and horses and if he wasn't listening to a live band or watching his favorite sports teams play, you could find him like "Clockwork" at Suffolk Downs or Wonderland trying his luck!

Carl was an astute planner and proactively orchestrating his segway into law enforcement was always a part of his and GOD's Perfect Plan for his life. When he got accepted as a volunteer Cambridge Auxiliary Police Officer the spark was lit and his love for serving his community and "Paying It Forward" became his heart song. Carl plotted his career trajectory into law enforcement by meticulously putting his plan into action. He took the corrections department exam as well as the police department exam to expand his options, once he graduated from the police academy, he worked at MCI Shirley Prison as a Corrections Officer.  After several years he transferred to the Shattuck Hospital in the "Locked Down Ward" and was soon promoted to Sergeant before being sworn into the Cambridge Police Department in 1983.

Carl was a hard-working man who absolutely was in love with being a Police Officer or "Peace Officer" as he called it. He wholeheartedly devoted his life and heart to his career as a Patrolman and couldn't wait to wake up and go to work every day. Carl's warm, easy-going and personable demeanor was a perfect match for community service.  Most of his time on the force was in a "One Man Report" car and he independently patrolled the East Cambridge neighborhoods where he built a solid rapport with many of the neighborhood residents, children, teens, and elders who considered him family.  During Carl's final years on the force, he switched his schedule to the 3-11 PM shift and had a blast during his zany and unpredictable adventures driving the Paddy Wagon nightly. To quote CPD, "Carl was a revered and valued member of the Cambridge Police Department for over 35 years serving as a father figure, mentor and dear friend for countless Officers and staff.  He retired in 2019. 

On January 27, 2021, after a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma, Carl passed away at Massachusetts General Hospital but his vibrant spirit and infectious laughter will be forever etched in our hearts for eternity. SALUTE To #418, A TRUE PATRIOT And CANTABRIGIAN For LIFE!

He leaves to cherish his memory his father Moses J. Jones NY, NY, his lifelong companion and best friend Wendy Pires, Sons Deshawn Jones, Lawrence Jones and Kenyada Palmer. Grandchildren Nadia Russes, Keith Goodrich Jr., Amaleigha Goodrich, Jordan Jones, and Kaleb Jones. Siblings Robert Jones and Margery Henry-Jackson, Nephews Bryce and Savion Jackson. Carl was preceded in death by his son Keith Goodrich and his Mother Nancy Yarborough-Henry.

All are invited to view the live broadcast of the service by visiting the A. J. Spears webpage. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the International Myeloma Foundation https://www.myeloma.org/african-american-initiative and would be greatly appreciated by the family.  Family, friends, and former colleagues are invited to sign Carl's online book of condolences at https://www.ajspearsfuneralhome.com/obituary/Carl-Jones

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