Australian performer Ignatius Jones, 67, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2024, in Iloilo City, Philippines, where he had retired with his partner Novy J. Berber.
His sister, Monica Trapaga, announced the unfortunate news to the public, stating, “He died peacefully at 9.30pm, Sydney time, last night (7 May) at Iloilo City, the Philippines.”
The statement tells how great of a person Ignatius Jones was and will be remembered as a real Renaissance man.
In 2022, Ignatius Jones went to live in the Philippines after retirement from music with his husband, Novy
Ignatius Jones was born in 1957 to his parents, Nestor Juan Trápaga and Margot Esteban, in Singalong, Manila. However, the family moved to Sydney, Australia in 1963.
Ignatius began his musical career as a founding member of the rock band Jimmy and the Boys in 1976.
After the group disbanded in 1982, he signed a solo deal with Warner Records.
Moreover, Ignatius Jones rose to prominence even as a solo artist with hits like Like a Ghost and Whispering Your Name.
Since then, Ignatius Jones joined various bands, but in 2022, he retired from music and went on to have a peaceful life with his partner, Novy J. Berber, in the Philippines.
Although we do not know how the couple met, Ignatius Jones and Novy got married on November 10, 2018, in the Philippines.
Unlike Ignatius, who does not have Instagram, Novy has one where he actively posts to keep everyone updated.
According to Novy’s Instagram bio, he is the founder of Bereber Sayaw for PD Org, a dance community that promotes awareness about Parkinson’s Disease in the Philippines.
Moreover, from the looks of his posts, it seems he is a dancer and a drag queen. Apart from that, not much information is available about Jones’s partner, Novy.
Regardless, quoting the statement,
He is survived by his husband, Novy, his mother, Margot Martin, his brother Luis Miguel, sisters, Rocio and Monica, and a gaggle of nieces and nephews.
Though Ignatius Jones left us after fighting a short illness, music fans will remember him via his profound music.
May Ignatius Jones’ gentle soul rest in peace. We at Superslice send our regards to his family.
Additional Information
- Ignatius Jones was the lead singer of the rock band Jimmy and the Boys. Amongst many popular singles, ‘They Won’t Let My Girlfriend Talk to Me’ became their greatest hit.
- The Filipino Communities Council of Australia honored Ignatius Jones with the Filipino-Australian of the Year Award in 2014.
- Besides music, he worked as an events director and worked for big events like the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympic Games.
