From the first time I saw Aaron perform as a pirate on the Belle of Topsail, I knew I was seeing a special person doing something he loved and sharing that love with those around him. His kindness and love of people was obvious from the start. Please accept my condolences for your loss.

Aaron was one of my closest pirate friends. I will miss talking to him for hours on the phone. I'll miss him sending me his renditions of misheard rock song lyrics. I'll miss him making me laugh, and me making him laugh. I'll miss him requesting me to make pirate clothes for him. I'll miss talking about music, Hocus Pocus, and him telling me stories of his days in drama. I'll miss his short person jokes, his smile, and his fun nature. I'm just gonna miss HIM 💙 "Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arrive. Blackbird, FLY..." ~The Beatles

Mark Sowers and Family, I am sorry for your loss and know that your fond memories of Aaron will allow him to always be with you in spirit. Lean on God and seek his comfort during this difficult time. Joyce Pressley

aaron, i hope your soul find eternal peace, you were such a sweet sweet soul, you were too good for this world, you are so missed down here, but i'm just happy you're no longer in pain and suffering down here, your memory will never be forgotten. you were always my favorite person to serve at dennys, table 35 will never be the same without you, im gonna miss all the crap we talked, or the randomness texts we used to send in multiple bubbles expressing our points. i love you aaron, fly high our sweet angel ❤️

Aaron, you were one of my favorite pirates on The Belle. You were funny, SO talented and SO smart. I enjoyed out conversations about life. You were also a real team player and that is saying a lot for a pirate! lol. You were taken way too soon, I still find this hard to wrap my head around you being gone. You might be gone but will never be forgotten. Thank you for bringing so much joy to others. You are missed by so many

Aaron I only had the pleasure of meeting you a few times. But each time was truely great. You were a marvelous entertainer and I so enjoyed seeing the smiles on all the little ones faces. You will be truly missed.

Aaron had a smile on his face every time I saw him. He made sure those around him smiled too. I'm saddened that his life was short but he lived it for the minute. I'm sure he's free of the pain and spreading the joy and love on the other side.

What can I say, Aaron.. when we met several years back at one of the festivals, you thought I was some crazy pirate chick walking a board on a rope.. again at another festival, in new garb, I mosied up to you after your show and said 'Hey, Jonesy!' ..and you proceeded to tell the tale about some crazy pirate lady walking a plank from another Pirate Festival.. I was like 'Yeah, Jonesy, that was me!!' And you laughed 🤣 and I laughed.. and you met Hank the Plank! 🤪 ..You, Captain Illtud Blackbird Jonesy, my friend were so full of life and enthusiasm and were a joy to be around! I'm going to miss your jokes, and singing shanties and rock music with you as well as our hijinx during the Ghost Walks of Penders Past. Your shows at Myth & Medieval Fest were so full of high-spirited effervescence. Always had the audiences in stitches.. You were such a big presence that will be missed. I prayed for you and with you during your struggles with pain as we shared our ailments with each other, too. You were the Pirate Fests firebreather! ..and crazy juggling pirate, lol.. I pray you are free from your pain and ailments in the great beyond! Gone Too Soon, Rest Be Well, Jonesy!! 🏴☠️🏴‍☠️ ✎*´¨) ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•` இMadbones Marie☠

Singing sea shanties and forgetting the words will never be the same. Who am I going to "steal" rings from now? Aaron, we already feel your absence around us. We are glad that you are pain-free but we are sad for ourselves. Fly high, Jonesy. We love you!

Mark & Family, Your loss is devastating, and the days ahead are difficult it's hard to see beyond the anguish that you feel looking back on the wonderful memories that you shared with your son can bring you some peace and comfort. I hope you and your family gain the peace that you seek as you grapple with the pain of your loss. May God give you the serenity and comfort you deserve. The Stoll Family

Aaron, I miss you, I want to call you, I want to hear your voice. From the day we met at our audition for The Belle of Topsail pirate cruises, we immediately connected. Both with a strong love of theatre and performing. Your humor, and the way you approached situations with it, will forever be a part of me and your memory. Over these 5 and a half years, you had become an important friend in my life. A part that I will always cherish. My world is now a darker place. I have a void where you used to be. I know you are finally out of pain that you always hid with your smile. You were taken too soon though, much too soon. My condolences to your family and all the rest who loved and cherished you, and especially to those who missed the opportunity.

Aaron, you were the light at every event. Your presence will be greatly missed by so very many. I know you're looking down on all of us and wishing you were with us as much as we wished the same. Fly high my sweet friend. Revel in your new pain-free existence. May God bless you and keep you.

Aaron, aka Blackbird the Pirate, was a dear friend who shared so many pirate events with me and was always at the ready to lend a hand with anything to help Cape Fear Parrot Sanctuary. Blackbird the Pirate is a character in a children's book I wrote, so Aaron's legacy as a joyful and helpful pirate will live on. I will miss him so very much, but he will be on my mind and in my heart and with me in spirit anytime I do something pirate related. He knew the true meaning of friendship.

Aaron you were one of the best we ever had in high school theater and you kept making people smile after you graduated. You were the only clown that didn't freak me out. You'll be sincerely missed ♡

Aaron, you were a bright light and an inspiration to many. Your talent and your refusal to fit anyone else's mold will forever leave a mark on our hearts. My condolences to the family. May the peace of God be with you. Cora