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For more information about A & M Scuba or Melvin's scholarship fund, contact Archie at 569-5046 or 594-7100.

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September 5, 2010

Ellenburg man opens dive shop in brother's memory

Press-Republican

ELLENBURG — By ANDREA VanValkenburg

Staff Writer

Through the years, Archie and Melvin Jones were more than just siblings.

They were best friends, separated by 11 years but united through a lifetime of love, respect and common interests.

"We were very close," Archie recently recalled.

"A lot of the things we did, we did together."

When they were younger, a death in the family brought them closer with Melvin moving into Archie's home and eventually following in many of his older brother's footsteps.

For a time, Archie served his country in the Air Force. Melvin later joined the Navy.

They both eventually earned nursing degrees and took their experiences into the Department of Correctional Services, where they each settled into work at various facilities in the North Country.

Later, they even bought homes across the street from one another.

They spoke every day and shared nearly everything — including a passion for scuba diving.

But earlier this year, their closeness was shattered by the death of the younger Jones, who suffered a stroke while enjoying the pair's favorite hobby.

In May, when Archie was on a trip downstate, Melvin dived into local waters and suffered a stroke 60 feet underwater.

"He knew something catastrophic was going on," Archie said as he detailed the life-saving measures Melvin tried to take as he floated to the surface and was helped by fellow divers.

"I'm so proud of the people he was with. What they did was nothing less than heroic. They got him to shore, and he still had a heart beat."

But complications from the stroke ultimately led to the 46-year-old's death.

After the devastating loss, Archie took solace in knowing that Melvin "died doing what he loved to do" and then helped save other lives by being an organ donor, but he struggled to cope with Melvin's death.

And in the days following Melvin's passing, still numb from the loss, Archie sprung into action, comforted by "the amazing outpouring of support from people in the community. Everyone was truly incredible."

Before Melvin died, the men planned to attend Rich Morin's Professional Scuba Center in Glens Falls, where they hoped to find success in the center's specialized instructor class.

With dreams of opening a dive shop and sharing their passion with others, the Joneses planned to further their scuba experiences together as they had since beginning the hobby in 2006.

But as Archie geared up for retirement and Melvin worked out his vacation schedule, their trip to instructor school was challenged by time.

Archie didn't want to embark on the adventure alone, but his brother wouldn't take no for an answer.

"He said 'You're going. I've already set it up,'" Archie recalled.

So a week after burying his loved one, Archie packed up like Melvin wanted and left the area, now hoping to fulfill both their dreams.

And that's exactly what he did.

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