NEWBURYPORT — Approaching both 75 years of age and three decades working at City Hall, City Clerk Richard Burke Jones on Monday said he is excited to enjoy his impending retirement while he still can enjoy it.
“I feel very healthy, I swim every day, and according to my own opinion, I still have my marbles left,” Jones said.
Jones announced his retirement on Nov. 7 and will work his last day on Jan. 10, 2025.
“I’ve had a wonderful staff all these years,” Jones said.
He first began his city tenure in 1978 as its solicitor, serving for nine years before leaving. He returned to the city in 2006 to take on the role of City Clerk. He said one thing was consistent through both tenures.
Jones said that helping folks will be what he misses most about the job.
“Whether someone comes in and they’re desperate because they’re just out of prison and they don’t have an ID but they need their birth certificate, or somebody gets a $300 handicap parking ticket because they forgot to hang their placard and they’re coming apart at the seams because they don’t have $300, we can help people,” Jones said.
Mayor Sean Reardon said he has known Jones his whole life.
“He was my uncle, Bob Page’s best friend growing up here in Newburyport. He played varsity basketball with my dad and he married one of my mom’s best friends. He has lived an incredible life and is one of the smartest most talented people I have ever known,” Reardon said.
He said that one of the most exciting parts of becoming mayor was the thought of getting sworn in by Jones.
“Unfortunately, he got COVID right before the inauguration so it didn’t happen. But I have loved working with him over my first three years. The man with the bow tie,” Reardon said.
In addition to his ubiquitous bow ties, Jones was perhaps even known more as a painter of all that makes Newburyport a special place to live, work and visit.
In September, one of Jones’ paintings was formally unveiled by the Custom House Maritime Museum. In addition to the Water Street museum, Jones’ work can be found inside City Hall, the Institution for Savings and Abraham’s Bagels. During his 55-year artistic journey, Jones has created hundreds of paintings, many of them historical in nature.
One thing Reardon gushed about was Jones’ paintings.
“One of them was gifted to the city and hangs in the corner office. He also painted my portrait when I was a senior in high school before I headed off to Ohio State. My portrait along with my siblings still hang in my parents’ home in Newburyport,” Reardon said.
Jones said he looks forward to returning to painting full time once officially retired.
“I just finished a commission on Pleasant Street,” Jones said.
Folks interested in finding his work or putting in a commission can go to richardburkejones.com.
He said he also wants to spend more time with his wife and three daughters.
“Two still live at home,” Jones said.
In terms of finding a new city clerk, Reardon said that the City Council and Human Resources have begun the process.
“It will not be the same with Richard gone. He brings so much knowledge and experience to City Hall that will be impossible to replace,” Reardon said.