By Vanessa Cavasinni, editor Australian Hotelier
Richard Jones, founder of RD Jones Group and a stalwart of the South Australian hospitality industry, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday 3 July.
Mr Jones, 65, suffered a heart attack, while on a cycling holiday in France with his wife, Denise.
His daughter, Danielle Donaldson, released the following statement on behalf of the entire Jones family:
“This is unexpected, extremely sad and upsetting for all of us.
“Richard was a wonderful father, grandfather and husband. He was a true character and a remarkable man who achieved a great deal in building a business that has provided a foundation for our hundreds of employees and, in turn, support for their families.
“We are all feeling a great sense of loss and we are still coming to terms with his death.”
Richard and Denise Jones found the RD Jones Group in 1982, after Richard had spent 20 years in the police force, including as a detective. Their first hotel purchase was the Grosvenor Hotel in Victor Harbor on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
Since then, the RD Jones Group has grown to be one of South Australia’s largest hotel groups, with 17 hotels in both South Australia and Queensland, including The Gully Public Bar and Garden in Tea Tree Gully, and The Holdy in Glenelg. Rd Jones Group also has holdings in gaming technologies, through Worldsmart Retail, Worldsmart Technology and the Jackpot Club.
RD Jones Group remains family owned and operated, with Denise at the helm, along with son Ryan, daughter Danielle and son-in-law Luke. Samuel Pons, managing director of Worldsmart Technology will continue to look after the gaming business.
The Jones family will continue to grow the business in honour of Richard’s legacy.
On behalf of the team at The Intermedia Group, we express our condolences to Richard’s family, friends and colleagues.
From little things big things do grow.Dick was what that saying was all about.I worked for him at his first city pub at Colonnades Tavern as a DJ which quickly became one of the best places for entertainment and he was a larger than life character along with his wife Denise became friends to all her played and worked there in the entertainment industry.From all of us who was bought into his world we are better for it and knowing him…RIP Dick