"Jon Jolly passed away unexpectedly on October14, 2008 at the age of 41. Jon was a ski instructor at Ski Beech for over 20 years as well as a co-owner of Hanging Rock Outdoor Center in Westfield, NC. He was active on the Ski North Carolina messageboard and was an invaluable source of information for current events within the snowsports industry. Above all of these things he was a loved husband and father as well as a good friend to myself and many others. Jon, we will all miss you greatly." – Dave McConnell (TeleDave on the Messageboard)
We began receiving emails within hours of his passing on Tuesday and although their was some early confusion as to what happened – the news was the same. A avid outdoor enthusiast, lover of all things related to snow, and an all-around nice guy passed away on Tuesday. According to several email reports, John was at work when he suffered a heart attack. He, his uncle and father had just begun working on a new project at a local hospital so doctors were able to respond immediately but were unable to save his life. His wife, Christine, made it to the hospital and was with Jon when he passed. The doctors pronounced him dead at 11am.
This news will tear at the hearts of all of us who knew Jon and our prayers are with Christine, his daughter Helena, and Jon’s family.
We knew Jon via his avid participation via the messageboard, as a ski instructor at Ski Beech for 20 years and through through subsequent meetings. He will be greatly missed.
Here is an official obituary:
WINSTON-SALEM – Jonathan Jolly, 41, of Winston-Salem, passed away unexpectedly on October 14, 2008, at North Carolina Baptist Hospital. Jon was born in Florida on July 23, 1967, to Arliss and Peggy Jolly. Jon grew up with a fierce love of nature and animals, especially big dogs. Jon’ s natural athletic ability helped him master extreme sports such as snow skiing and paddling. Jon studied at Appalachian University and while in school became an instructor at Ski-Beech Mountain. As an instructor for more than 20 years Jon’ s enthusiasm for skiing helped many novice students come to love the sport as much as he did. In 1995 Jon realized a life long dream in opening the Hanging Rock Outdoor Center in Stokes County. Equally important in Jon’ s life was music, family and friends. For 12 years Jon served as the unofficial "Mayor" of Ziggy’ s Tavern. Jon was an avid collector of a wide variety of live music and saw thousands of performances. Jon leaves behind his loving wife and precious seven-year old daughter, Christine and Helena of the home. Jon is also survived by his parents, Arliss and Peggy Jolly of Winston-Salem; his dear sister Elizabeth Jane Urban (husband, John and niece, Katelyn and nephew, John Arliss). Christine’ s family was a large and loving part of Jon’ s life. His life was enriched by the love of Alex and Judy Pozniak, Christine’ s parents; sister, Jeannie Brooker, husband Tim and children Sarah and Alex; and sister, Nancy Pozniak. Jon is preceded by death by both maternal and paternal grandparents. Jon’ s extended family is large and far too numerous to mention though his love for all was deep. A memorial service will be conducted in the Sanctuary of St. Leo’ s Catholic Church, in Winston-Salem, on Saturday, October 18, at 1:00 p.m. Father Brian Cook will officiate. An outdoor celebration of Jon’ s life will take place on Saturday, at 4:00 p.m., across the river from Moratok Park, on the Dan River. Time and directions will be posted on the website www.hroconline.com. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial gifts be directed to an educational fund for Jon’ s daughter, Helena.
Please direct mailings to Benefit of Helena Jolly Educational Fund c/o Piedmont Federal 16 West 3rd Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
Please consider contributing to this fund…