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Richard “Corby” Jones, 77, of West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. While our hearts are heavy, we imagine Corby would tell us not to make too much of a fuss—and probably have a witty one-liner ready to lighten the mood.

Born on April 14, 1949, to Richard and Pauline Jones, Corby graduated from Scituate High School before continuing his education and earning a degree in business. He dedicated many years of his career as a buyer with Hamett School Supplies, where he was respected for his hard work, dedication, and the lifelong friendships he formed along the way.

Outside of work, Corby never met a stranger for long. He was a gregarious man whose quick wit, dry sense of humor, and easygoing personality could put anyone at ease. Corby never missed an opportunity to tease a friend, tell a great story, or deliver a perfectly timed one-liner. He had a gift for making people laugh without ever trying too hard.

He found joy in life’s simple pleasures. He loved sailing, fishing, gardening, music, reading, and spending warm, sunny days at the beach with friends. His kind heart, gentle spirit, and unwavering friendship brought happiness to all who knew him.

Corby was preceded in death by his younger sisters, Deborah Finnie and Paula Jones Nardo.

He is lovingly remembered by his sister, Pam, and her husband, Michael Masse; his nieces, Michelle Masse and Christina Concannon and her husband, Chris; his nephew, Michael Finnie; and many cherished friends who became family throughout his life. Each of them carries a favorite Corby story—some of which can probably be repeated in polite company.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the hospice team for their compassionate care, kindness, and support during Corby’s final days

Corby leaves behind a lifetime of laughter, kindness, and unforgettable memories. He would likely remind us that life is meant to be enjoyed, friends are meant to be treasured, and every sunset is a little better with good company.

So, the next time you’re gathered with family or friends, share one of Corby’s stories, laugh a little louder than usual, and raise a glass of Dewar’s in his honor. We have no doubt he’d be smiling, offering one more dry-witted remark, and reminding everyone to enjoy the moment.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all whose lives he touched.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the hospice team for their compassionate care, kindness, and support during Corby’s final days.

Services will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hope Health Hospice & Palliative Care in Corby’s memory.

YARMOUTH PORT — Reliving cherished memories and creating new ones is what Wharf, a new store in what was once the first Christmas Tree Shops location, is all about.

From watercolor workbooks to wooden board games, beachcombers’ guides to books that tell the stories of Cape Cod, owner Greg Bilezikian has created a cornucopia of offerings for vacationers and natives alike. The store’s essence pays homage to the natural beauty of Cape Cod, and the lived experiences tied to the place.

“I thought of products and an environment where people would be able to relate to the place and space where they are purchasing things that would help them create memories around Cape Cod or relive memories of being here,” he said as customers came through the doors on July 6.

He’s created a space that invites unhurried exploration. A wooden box opens to display the dice and dominoes, chess and checker pieces of board games. Watercolor workbooks encourage adults to slow down and be creative. Activity books encourage children to learn about the area’s natural wonders by putting them on the beaches and trails.

There are beautiful and delicate things in the store: small scissors boasting gold filagree and tassels, whale sculptures made of reclaimed metal drums, hand painted ceramic bowls and dishes, fine stationery, and feathered quill pens.

“You can come here and try the products,” Bilezikian said, touting the store’s focus on interactivity. “You can paint here, draw here, there’s a children’s table. It’s not just a one-dimensional shopping environment.”

Children had left drawings of a house, a face, scribbles and squiggles on a paper-covered table. Wooden toys available for youngsters to play were spread across another table in the children’s section of the store.

Marie Battista, her daughter, and two nieces were browsing on a gray Monday after an annual family gathering on July 4. The women meandered past tables filled with goods: pillows and white linens decorated with lobsters, notecards from local artists, mugs covered in American flags and blue hydrangeas. Battista held books for her great-grandchildren that would help them create their own memories of the Cape.

A young couple pushed a stroller through the store. The woman held a copy of Henry Beston’s classic, “The Outermost House.” Another shopper asked Bilezikian about the platters crafted by a local artist with a shop just down the road.

“People seem to want to do things at home that are creative, that allow for self-expression with a child or another adult,” Bilezikian said. “It’s a nice category because it is the interactivity that I would really like to celebrate with the products we sell.”

Retail runs in Bilezikian’s blood. He is the son of Charles and Doreen Bilezikian, founders of the Christmas Tree Shops. Where Wharf now stands is the exact spot where the popular store got its start.

His parents bought the property and business at 13 Willow Street in 1970 and began their entrepreneurial pursuits. Bilezikian was four years old. The family lived above the first Christmas Tree Shops store. When his parents traveled for business, his grandparents came over and stayed on the third floor.

The Bilezikians grew the store into a chain of 23 stores. Its popularity soared because of the products available at prices customers loved. Shoppers couldn't get enough of the seasonal and household items, novelties and toys, gardening implements and food.

Bed Bath and Beyond bought the business in 2003 but not all of the properties. The conglomerate grew the chain even more, but the Christmas Tree Shops business went bankrupt in 2023. Shoppers still mourn the loss.

Bilezikian may have grown up in retail, but he also grew up on Cape Cod. The ocean and its beaches, salt marshes and trails were his playgrounds.

"We had a great time growing up in this neighborhood,” he said.

That passion for place is evident inside and out. From the Beetle Cat sailboat outside the store to the ocean-inspired art cards inside, Wharf is about connection to the land and the joy and exploration that it inspires. It’s about sharing the best of Cape Cod with friends and family.

Bilezikian plans to open a gourmet food section on the second floor sometime in August. A partnership with Kelly O’Connell led to the creation of Lighthouse Keeper’s Pantry and a line of jams and jellies. The success of the jams, jellies, and other Pantry food items has led to an expansion into coastal-themed candy and snacks. An old Christmas Tree Shops location on Route 28 in West Dennis is now a distribution center for some products.

“We're going to focus on products made in New England and the US as much as we can,” he said. “There are a lot of manufacturers and products to be put together.”

Denise Coffey writes about real estate, commercial development, the grocery industry, tourism and covers the towns of Eastham and Wellfleet. Contact her at .