Longtime Ashland borough manager dies

Amy Marchiano, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
Updated ·2 min read

Raymond M. Jones Jr., longtime borough manager of Ashland and a candidate for Schuylkill County commissioner last year, has died.

Jones, 57, died Sunday at his home in Ashland.

“He really loved our county. He was a good man,” commissioners Chairman Larry Padora said Monday.

Padora received a call Sunday from a friend of Jones’ about his death, which Padora said was surprising because he had talked to him Saturday and everything seemed fine.

Jones had been borough manager since 2012. He also served on the board of directors for the Pioneer Tunnel; the Schuylkill County Land Bank, where he served as the vice president; and the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, where he served as a board member.

He was an active firefighter with the Washington Fire Company in the borough, and had other roles with firefighting in his career, including being a federal firefighter at Fort Indiantown Gap for more than 33 years.

In his decision to run for the commissioner in last year’s primary, Jones said he wanted to bring his passion for public service to county government. He also advocated for greater transparency in the courthouse.

Schuylkill County Sheriff Joseph G. Groody, who knew Jones for most of his life, called his death a “big loss” to the Ashland area and the county.

Ashland Police Chief Gerard Daley said he was sad to learn of Jones’ death.

“He was the glue that holds this borough together,” Daley said. “Over the last six years Ray has been nothing but spectacular to work with and he will be greatly missed.”

Ian Mahal, Minersville Borough Council president and treasurer of the Schuylkill County Land Bank, said Jones was dedicated to his community and improving the county. Howard Merrick, chairman of the Schuylkill County Republican Committee, said Jones was a “dedicated Republican who would answer the call anytime we needed something.”

Robert S. Carl Jr., president and CEO of the chamber, said Jones served the community passionately.

“He always tried to make a difference,” Carl said.

In addition to being a board member, Jones served on the infrastructure and government affairs committees and on the broadband task force, Carl said.

Schuylkill County Chief Deputy Coroner Dr. Joseph Weber said that Jones died of natural causes.