Family’s heartfelt goodbye to Nowra teen Bailey Jones at Sydney service

The father of beloved teenager Bailey Jones has said the young footy hopeful was ready to turn his life around and “make a difference” after recently turning 18, after friends and family gathered to pay tribute at a packed funeral service.

Friends and family of beloved Nowra teen Bailey Jones have paid tribute to the former footy hopeful at a heartfelt funeral service.

Beloved teenager Bailey Jones told his father he was ready to turn his life around, secure a good job and a committed relationship.

Days later, Bailey passed away in a tragic stabbing incident in Bomaderry, on the NSW south coast, on December 3.

Bailey’s father, Ben Jones, said his son was an “emotionally intelligent” child who was planning for the next stage in his life.

“He wanted to plan for his future,” Mr Jones’ said.

“Bailey wanted a family, he wanted a girlfriend he could settle down with, he wanted to find a job he could enjoy.

“We often have these conversations, but when we talked the Wednesday before he it happened, I believe he was going to make a turn.”

Among the fondest memories Mr Jones had of his son was the night he got remarried.

Bailey, who was 9-years-old at the time, had wanted to compile a speech for the event.

“He got up and spoke so fluently. It was a beautiful speech,” Mr Jones said.

“I was shattered inside at the funeral, but proud to see that my son‘s left a legacy

“Bailey loves, he loves deep, and he loves hard . His family and friends are everything to him. That really showed.”

Friends and family of beloved Nowra teen Bailey Jones paid tribute to the former footy hopeful at the heartfelt funeral service on Thursday.

Bailey Jones was found dead with a knife wound to the chest. Picture: Supplied

The Milton-Ulladulla Bulldog’s half-brother, Adam Micallef, told the packed church service he’d never be able to play football competitively with his younger sibling, after Jones passed away tragically in hospital following a stabbing on December 9.

“In one of our last conversations, Bailey was telling me he wants to come play footy with whatever team I am on next year so that we could play a season together,” Mr Micallef said. “I will never get that opportunity. I will never play footy with my little brother.”

Mr Micallef told the service at St Andrew’s Catholic Church in Malabar that 18-year-old Jones’ was always proud of his Maltese heritage.

“Growing up, Bailey was surrounded by older siblings and cousins who were all brown-haired and brown-eyed,” he said.

“He was so proud of being Maltese that he would tell everyone. However, not many people were convinced.

“He was confused by his aunties and uncles who would talk in Maltese. They would all laugh because he didn’t understand much.

“What words he did know, he was proud of even though he didn’t know what they meant.”

Jones’ mother, Carol Micallef, tearfully recalled seeing her son for the first time.

“He will always be the most beautiful boy in the room to me,” she said.

“He always made me laugh with all the things he said.

“I always saw how kind his soul was.”

During the proceedings, which were also broadcast online, Ms Micallef read aloud the final letter she’d received from her son.

Jones was playing for the Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs. His father described him as a “forceful forward”. picture: Supplied

“I love making memories with you,” Bailey had told his mother.

“Especially the ones when I make you mad, because every time we fight we always get over it and we build a better connection.

“We realize how much we love each other. No one – I repeat – no one can ever break us. Our bond is so strong.”

Jones’ adoptive father described him as a “fearless forward” in football, who in life “led with his heart”.

“He was forceful and full of passion,” he said.

“You came incredibly close to making our beloved Sydney Roosters junior team.

“Every time he would score a try, he would kiss his hand, point to the sky –to his beautiful nan Pam in heaven– and say: ‘that‘s for you.’”

Jones and his family were regulars of resorts in Bali, making frequent trips to the Indonesian island.

A former employee of one of the resorts attended Jones’ funeral, recalling the little boy who would come for free ice-cream.

“I know Bailey has touched my heart, as he has many others,” the employee said, going by the name Nanga.

“He will always be here, in my heart, and in my memories.

“Rest in peace my little brother, Bailey.”

On Thursday, only hours before the funeral, a 20-year-old man was arrested in relation to the alleged stabbing.

The man was taken to Nowra Police Station from an address on West Birriley St in Bomaderry.

He is expected to be charged with murder.