Byron Bay man Phil Jones remembered after Wategos surf tragedy

A “larrikin” grandfather will be greatly missed at his golf course and in the surf after succumbing to a medical condition while surfing at a popular Byron Bay beach.

Philip Jones, from Byron Bay, died after suffering a heart attack while surfing at Wategos beach.

Heartbroken family of Byron Bay grandfather Philip Jones say he will be forever loved and always remembered after succumbing to a heart condition while surfing his favourite beach break.

Mr Jones, known by most as Phil or his preferred nickname “Ffrrr”, tragically died at Wategos Beach last week after being pulled from the surf.

“A light went out in the universe last Thursday,” his family said in a statement.

“(Mr Jones) slipped away simply beautifully off the end of his surfboard into the crystal water of a classic Wategos day.”

They have remembered him as a much-loved son, brother, father and grandfather.

Philip Jones, from Byron Bay, has been remembered for his “larrikin” qualities.

“Phil was the fourth of seven children of Paul and Dorothea Jones, born in Lismore where he came to owning and running his father’s steel fabrication workshop,” the family said.

“His family were high-achieving athletes, particularly in the swimming pool, so it came as a shock to discover a latent heart condition that was notorious for striking the young and fit, cut down by what is called sudden cardiac arrest in the prime of their life.”

They said his elder sister suffered from the condition in 1990 at the age of 30 but, due to CPR and a defibrillator being on hand, she survived.

Having later lost their brother Chris, aged 36, in 1999 to the same condition, the family took part in vital research.

Several members of Phil Jones’s family have been impacted by the same heart condition which resulted in his sudden death at Wategos last week.

“The family entered a research program that uncovered the genetics and vagaries of a heart condition called Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy or HCM,” the family said.

“Sadly, Phil also succumbed to sudden cardiac arrest last Thursday.

“He leaves a son, Phil Jnr, grandsons, life partner Evie, extended family – his mother, Dot, two sisters and three brothers and so many friends of all persuasions.”

They described Mr Jones as someone who left a positive mark on the world.

Philip Jones, from Byron Bay, has been remembered lovingly by his family.

“Kind, loving, spiritual, laughing and learning, he gave his life everything,” they said.

“His philosophy was to live well, simply and truly as yourself and in doing so he would touch others.

His family said a quirky sense of humour also helped him through life.

“He will be greatly missed around the local traps, on the golf course, at yoga/meditation classes, in the line-up and off the rocky cape checking an unsuspecting blackfish for breakfast,” they said.

They also thanked people who tried to save Mr Jones, including an off-duty paramedic, police and others.

Philip Jones, from Byron Bay, has been remembered lovingly by his family after he died at Wategos Beach last week.

“We are eternally grateful,” they said.

Mr Jones's funeral will be live streamed on September 13 here. 

Since the tragedy, the Byron community has launched a Go Fund Me page in a bid to get defibrillators installed at Wategos, The Pass and Clarkes Beach.

At the time of publication, $7470 had been raised toward the $11,000 goal within three days.

Visit the fundraising page here to support the cause.