Jones, 64, died suddenly on a flight between Mauritius and Melbourne with his wife Uli Wilfert by his side.

He joined The Canberra Times in 1996 after working as a political reporter and foreign correspondent for more than 25 years.

Jones worked in a variety of roles at The Canberra Times, including as a sub-editor, news editor, chief of staff, deputy editor and acting editor.

Canberra Times chief executive Ken Nichols said the newspaper's staff felt devastated by the loss of Jones.

''The deep sense of shock and loss felt by the entire Canberra Times team demonstrates the respect and high regard held for Bruce across all departments of the newspaper,'' Mr Nichols said.

Editor Rod Quinn said Jones was a leader in the newsroom whose judgment was impeccable.

''Bruce was an outstanding journalist, a much loved and highly regarded colleague and a great friend,'' Quinn said.

''He was a true professional who had a calm, measured approach. He always put the interests of the newspaper and its readers first.

''He will be sadly missed by his friends and colleagues and friends at The Canberra Times.''

Jones mentored many young journalists at the newspaper and was known for his courtesy and dry sense of humour.

He was born in Newcastle and educated to matriculation level at Homebush Boys High School in Sydney.

Jones began his career in the media at The Daily Telegraph in Sydney working as a copy boy and proofreader from 1964 to 1966.

He worked as a catering and bar manager at Canberra Airport before joining news agency Australian Associated Press in its Parliament House bureau in 1969.

He served as AAP's Canberra head of bureau for six years and was posted to London from 1980-1982.

From March 1987 he was the Sun-Herald's political correspondent, writing a weekly column as well as covering news in Canberra.

From mid-1995 he was a sub-editor with the Sun-Herald in Sydney.

Journalist Christine Wallace yesterday recalled sharing an office with Jones in the early 1990s when he was with the Sun-Herald and she was Business Review Weekly's Canberra correspondent.

Wallace said in many situations Jones was often the smartest person in the room, but kept his opinions to himself.

''It was such a refreshing contrast to the usual Canberra blowhards,'' she said.

''He just kept his mouth shut, observed the scene coolly and usually drew really smart conclusions that he often kept to himself about people and situations.''

Jones is survived by Ms Wilfert and his son Robert.