Robert P Jones

Robert P. 'Bob' Jones, a 90-year-old St. Augustine native now residing in Tallahassee, cherishes St. Augustine and its diverse cultures as passionately as anyone ever could. A 1952 graduate of St. Joseph Academy, he served in the USMC before marrying his high school sweetheart, Malinda Louise Usina, on May 28, 1955. He often recalls that day as the happiest of his life. Tragically, Malinda passed away on February 9, 2022, a day he describes as the saddest of his life.During their 72 years...See more

Robert P. 'Bob' Jones, a 90-year-old St. Augustine native now residing in Tallahassee, cherishes St. Augustine and its diverse cultures as passionately as anyone ever could. A 1952 graduate of St. Joseph Academy, he served in the USMC before marrying his high school sweetheart, Malinda Louise Usina, on May 28, 1955. He often recalls that day as the happiest of his life. Tragically, Malinda passed away on February 9, 2022, a day he describes as the saddest of his life.During their 72 years together, Bob and Malinda frequently discussed the Minorcan culture, a heritage deeply rooted in Malinda's family. On a visit to St. Augustine, they stopped by the monument of Father Pedro Camps on the west side of the Cathedral. It was there that Malinda pointed out the Usina name and shared stories of her ancestors. They learned that her 4th great-grandmother, Catarina Moll Usina, arrived at the Turnbull plantation, now New Smyrna Beach, in 1768 and died in either 1775 or 1776. The graves of Catarina and 963 other Minorcans remain undiscovered.Bob Jones had a varied career, working as a brick mason and deputy tax assessor for St. Johns County, followed by a stint on the staff of the US Jaycees in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He then served as the executive director of the Southeastern Fisheries Association for 55 years.Currently, Bob is dedicated to a poignant mission: locating the graves of the 'Missing Minorcans.' He is driven by a deep desire to unearth these lost pieces of Minorcan and American history, buried somewhere in the sands of time. See less