FITCHBURG - Joel A. Jones, age 83, of Fitchburg, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023, at Agrace HospiceCare after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He distinguished himself as the “New Year’s Baby,” born on Jan. 2, 1940, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of Paul and Hattie Mae (Johnston) Jones.

Music was always part of Joel’s life. He played trombone, piano and organ in his early years in Gilman, Iowa, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music in 1962. While in college, he met the love of his life, Connie Newlin and they married shortly after graduation on July 28, 1962. Joel was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1963, serving in Panama as the piano player for the marching band until 1965. He and Connie moved to Iowa City, Iowa where he started a piano tuning business. They moved to Bowling Green, Ohio in 1970 to work at Bowling Green State University as the Piano Technician for the School of Music.

In 1974, Joel and Connie moved their family to Madison where he worked for the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a certified concert piano tuner, responsible for more than 250 pianos at the School of Music, the dormitories, and other campus buildings. He initiated and taught piano technology classes at the UW. He was an active member, both locally and nationally, of the Piano Technicians Guild, an internationally recognized indication of professionalism and talent, serving as Director of the annual PTG National Institute for four years, initiated the Madison chapter, and organized a university tuner classification. At the annual Institute he taught classes to other technicians. Throughout his career, he was an instructor, mentor, and trusted colleague. Joel maintained his own private business as a tuner for churches and individuals. After retiring from the U.W. he continued tuning pianos throughout Southern Wisconsin until his final retirement at the age of 80.

In his limited free time, Joel enjoyed woodworking, creating beautiful pieces that family and friends still cherish. Joel enjoyed teaching tuning to an autistic young adult. Music was always part of his life, from musical theatre to the Madison Symphony. He single-handedly established and organized monthly concerts at Oakwood West, which remains as his legacy. In addition, he served as Deacon and Elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church. After his diagnosis with Parkinson’s, he joined Rock Steady Boxing, where he was lovingly known as Joltin’ Joe.

Joel is survived by his wife, Connie; daughters: Nancy Hopwood and Lisa Broos Jones; grandchildren: Joelle (Joey) Kapala, Ben (Chelsea Cather) Hopwood, Rachel Hopwood, (Michael Bianchi), Brian Broos, (Hannah Bombeck), and Jonah Broos; great-grandchildren: Jackson and Jaiden Kapala; and cherished cousin: Rosemary (Calvin) Lyle. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother.

A memorial service will be held at WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 4100 Nakoma Road, Madison, at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, with the Rev. Scott Anderson presiding. Military Honors will be conducted immediately following the service. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13, 2023.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church’s music fund (www.westminstermadison.org or Madison’s Rock Steady Boxing (www.bakkeathletics.com/fighting-pd).

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608) 442-5002

Joel A Jones

January 02, 1940 - September 27, 2023

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