‘Beautiful daddy’ Stephen Jones farewelled after tragic boating accident in Spain

A “devoted” father and husband who was tragically killed in a Spanish boating accident has been remembered by his devastated family as the “perfect son” and an “adoring husband”.

Stephen Jones was killed in Spain, where he was holidaying with wife Fiona.

A Melbourne man who died while diving off a Spanish island has been remembered as the “heart and spirit” of his family and a “beautiful daddy” at his funeral.

Stephen Jones, 40, was hit and killed by a boat in July while diving off the coast of Formentera, the smallest of the Balearic Islands off the east coast of Spain.

His body was returned to Australia earlier this week.

The father of three and son of prominent businessman Russell Jones was mourned by his family and hundreds of friends and associates at St John’s Anglican Church in Toorak.

A tribute from his wife and three children Will, Jean and Herbie read Mr Jones was a “fountain of happiness”.

“You are the magic in our day,” the tribute read.

Stephen Jones was hit and killed by a boat in July.

His body was returned to Australia this week.

The father of three was mourned by hundreds at his funeral in St John’s Anglican Church this morning. Picture: Alex Coppel

“A beautiful daddy, an adoring husband, the hand that holds ours. You fill our lives with endless laughter.

“Your caring soul cocoons us with fearless energy and emotion. Always the heart and spirit of our family, we will love you eternally.”

His sister Felicity Wilkins said he was a “sensitive and caring” brother.

“He was my guardian angel since I was born,” she said. “Steve was loving, a thoughtful son-in-law and the perfect gentleman.

“He was completely devoted to Fiona and his children. He was the perfect son.

“He always endeavoured to do the right thing. He was competitive but never aggressive.

“Stephen loved the world around him, particularly his family and friends.

Stephen Jones, 40, with wife Fiona and their three children.

“If there was a social centrepiece, it was Steve Jones. I was so proud to be Jonesey’s little sister.

“You’ll be missed forever. Melbourne is in mourning … there truly has been a ripple effect in the Melbourne community.”

The father of three was on holiday with wife Fiona and six friends.

The Herald Sun understands the group of eight were on holiday celebrating Mr and Ms Jones’ 40th birthdays.

But tragedy struck when Mr Jones was hit by a boat while diving with an underwater propeller.

The group was holidaying in Spain’s Balearic Islands when tragedy struck. Picture: iStock

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Mr Jones was an executive director at Canaccord Genuity Group, a Canadian investment banking and financial firm.

He graduated from Trinity Grammar and later Melbourne University, before studying a Masters of Business Administration at the University of New South Wales and Stern university in New York.

He had previously worked for big-tier firm KPMG, Australia Post and, in 2015, co-founded the online marketplace House of Home.

He had a series of prestigious connections that included his wife’s relatives — the well-known de Crespigny family.

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