RICHMOND, Mass. — Lyle Jones of Richmond died Monday, May 9, 2016, at Baystate Medical Center with his family surrounding him.

Lyle was born in Belleville, Ontario, Canada and came to the United States when he was 16 years old. During his youth he was a high rise welder for a period of time, a jockey and a horse trainer. 

After moving from West Virginia to Massachusetts in 1981, Lyle took residence in Richmond, where he would live for the next 35 years. In 1982 Lyle started Richmond Nursery, a venture that began as half nursery and half farm stand. Within 10 years, the business had expanded to a thriving nursery and landscaping center. Self-taught, Lyle had a natural eye for garden design. He continued running Richmond Nursery until 2016. 

Lyle leaves behind his wife, the former Sharon Nicholas; his six sons, Simon Jones of Lee, Luke Jones of Richmond, Nathan Jones of Boston, Calvin Jones of Housatonic, and Josiah Jones and Eli Jones, both of West Stockbridge; three daughters, Dawn Jones of New York, Tanya Retz of Vermont and Elisabeth Jones of Lee; three grandchildren, Avery Retz and Rebekah and Giovanni Jones; and a large extended family in Canada. 

Funeral notice: Lyle’s family will receive friends and relatives Tuesday, May 17, 2016, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Kelly Funeral Home at 3 Main St. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 18, at 11 a.m. at the Outdoor Chapel on West Center Road in West Stockbridge. 

In lieu of flowers, friends wishing may make donations payable to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, which will assist in their Tyendinaga Food Resource Center, in care of the Kelly Funeral Home.