Peter Woodell Jones

Peter Woodell Jones, 61, of Satellite Beach, FL, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving and devoted family on Monday, March 14th after living with the devastating effects of a brain stem stroke for over a year. He was born in White Plains, NY on January 14th 1955 to Robert G. Jones and Ann B. Jones. He was raised in Irvington, NY in the charmed child-filled neighborhood of Barney Park with many nights of kick the can, days of sledding and catching crayfish in the brook behind the house. He was very active in boy scouts and school sports. He graduated from Irvington High School in 1973 and after a brief attendance in college, he went on to enlist in the United States Navy in 1978 as a first class petty officer. He then married Diana Pacelli, April 16, 1978. They were married for 26 years and together raised 3 wonderful daughters. While in the Navy he taught computers in the private sector and through this he discovered his passion for computers and communications leading to satellite work in the Navy. The Navy took him to places like Guam, Wisconsin, California, Georgia and Virginia. He honorably served his country for 8 years and then finally settled in Florida. He worked at Cape Canaveral at the Spacelift Range for 17 years as a supervisor of engineers and during this time he returned to college and earned a Bachelor of Science as well as a Master of Science degree in Technical Engineering Management from Embry-Riddle in 1999. Most recently he was a part owner/manager of Wideband Systems, Inc., a small engineering firm. In this career he travelled extensively and worldwide to educate and train clients in this new ground breaking device that allowed tracking of multiple satellites and recording information. Peter loved to travel and see all the beauty the world had to offer. If he wasn’t traveling, he was on his boat, fishing, diving, or just the enjoying the open waters with friends and family. Whether this was in Block Island (summers in the early years) or in Florida. He would say, his boat was his Harley. He also enjoyed playing poker and a good game of tennis. He was a wine connoisseur and loved watching NFL football; especially the NY Giants. He loved to make people laugh and see the joy he could bring to them. He was a very loyal, fun and highly respected friend to many, with some friendships going back to grade school. He was a kind, gentle spirit with the most giving heart. He touched so many lives with his presence. He believed in the power of intention and positive energy and his personal positive outlook on life always shone through to others. Above all of this, his family was his most treasured gift. He was a loving and devoted son, brother, father, grandfather and friend. All will miss his quick wit, great smile and his easy ability to make life more fun and the world a brighter place. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved daughters: Rachel Taylor and husband John, Danielle Townsend and husband Joseph, Janine Jones and fiancé Doug, and four grandchildren, the light of his life, to them he was known as Popo- Zachary, Noah, Katie and Elijah, all of Melbourne, Fl. He is also survived by his ex-wife (Melbourne, FL), parents (NY), sisters- Linda Jones & brother-in-law Mark Stephenson (Burlington, VT), Martha Vogt & brother-in-law Thomas Vogt (Mesa, AZ) and nephews Cody & Clark Stephenson, Alex & Kevin Vogt. He also leaves other extended family members and friends as well. Peter was predeceased by his older brother Bobby in 1976 and an infant brother in 1954. A memorial service will be held on Sunday April 3rd at 2pm. The location of the service is Rotary Park at the corner of Suntree Blvd and US1. In lieu of flowers, the family would like a memorial donation to be made to the Shepherd Center of Atlanta, GA. This center focuses on spinal cord and brain injury rehabilitation and they were instrumental during Peter’s stroke recovery. Below is the link to donate. Arrangements by FAMILY owned and operated Atlantic Mortuary & Cremation Service, Rockledge.