Business executive.
Born at Winnipegs on 31 January 1925 to Daniel and Nellie Jones, he was raised in Winnipeg with his elder brother Danny, attended Victoria-Albert School and Hugh John Macdonald School, and served as student body President of Daniel McIntyre Collegiate before graduating. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943 and trained as a navigator. Returning to Winnipeg at war's end, he enrolled at the University of Manitoba and graduated from the Faculty of Commerce in 1948.
In 1948, began working at Investors Syndicate (later renamed IG Wealth Management) at Winnipeg as a securities analyst. Thus began a lengthy career with the company, during which time he held the positions of Manager, Vice-President, President, and Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board, retiring in 1991. He played a significant role in the development of the mutual fund industry in Canada. He also served as a Director of Investors Group, Power Corporation, Great-West Life, TransCanada Pipelines, Inspiration Resources, United Canadian Shares, and a number of other Canadian public companies.
His commitment to the community was reflected in his service in various endeavors, including his sitting on the Board of the Health Sciences Foundation and the University of Winnipeg Board of Regents, and acting as Chair of the Sinking Fund Trustees of the Winnipeg School Division. Besides being recognized for his business leadership, he was highly respected for his kindness and generosity in all walks of life.
He met Thelma Winnington Lawson (1924-2008) on a basketball court when he coached a ladies’ team at Great-West Life. They married on 23 June 1950, and went on to have three daughters. He was a member of the Manitoba Club and the St. Charles Country Club. He loved to play golf, and in retirement enjoyed the sport while spending winters with his wife at Sarasota, Florida.
He died at Winnipeg on 15 April 2012 and was buried in the Chapel Lawn Memorial Garden.
Obituary [Thelma Winnington Jones], Winnipeg Free Press, 30 December 2008.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 21 April 2012.
Robert Howell Jones, FindAGrave.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun.
Page revised: 14 May 2026
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