Father Herbert J. Jones, O.Carm., died on June 30, 2026, in his hometown of Methuen. He was born to the late Herbert Augustine Jones and Mary Margaret (Bradley) Jones on December 28, 1934, in Methuen. He is survived by his sister, Dr. Carol Ann Regan, Methuen.

He was educated at St. Mary School and Central Catholic High School, both in Lawrence, before entering Mount Carmel College in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in 1952. He entered the Carmelite novitiate in New Baltimore, Pennsylvania, the following year and professed first vows in 1954. He continued theological studies at Niagara Falls, St. Bonaventure University in Olean, New York, and Whitefriars Hall, Washington, DC, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1960, at the Carmelite Seminary Chapel, Hamilton, by Boston Auxiliary Bishop Jeremiah F. Minihan.

Father Herbert's first assignment was a summer at St. Clara Parish in Chicago, Illinois, surveying the Hispanic community, an opportunity to use the Spanish he had studied. There, he developed a greater understanding of Hispanic culture, knowledge to build on as, in 1961, he was sent to San Miguel Parish in Santiago, Chile. He ministered in Chile for six years as an associate pastor, teacher, and director of a junior seminary, also serving periods as the diocesan dean and as councilor in the Carmelite Commissariat of Chile and Peru.

In 1967, he returned to the United States and served in several parishes in New Jersey and as a vocations director for the Carmelite Friars. He subsequently served in Carmelite assignments in Italy and Peru.

In 2000, he returned to the United States, serving for a decade and a half at St. Therese Chapel, at Peabody's Northshore Mall. In 2016, he retired to his hometown of Methuen, residing at St. Monica rectory, and later at All Saints rectory, Haverhill.

He was a familiar and welcome face to the Merrimack Valley and ready to assist in parishes in the region. As he aged and his health demanded more care, he was first in residence at Marguerite House Assisted Living, in Lawrence, and more recently, at the Nevins Nursing Home in Methuen.

Father Jones's funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Monica Church, Methuen, on July 10, 2026. The principal celebrant was Carmelite Provincial, Father Carl Markelz; the homilist was Father Robert Colaresi, O.Carm.; concelebrants included Father Samuel Citero, O.Carm., Father Marcos T. Pena Portillo, pastor of St. Monica and St. Lucy, Methuen; and Father Christopher W. Wallace, St. Mary and St. John the Evangelist, both in Chelmsford, and St. Margaret of Scotland, Lowell. Merrimack Regional Bishop Robert F. Hennessey celebrated the Final Commendation.

Following the funeral Mass, Father Jones was buried in St. Mary-Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence.



[ED. -- THE CARMELITE PROVINCIAL OFFICE, DARIEN, ILL., CONTRIBUTED TO THIS OBITUARY.]