Davy Jones' funeral set for Florida

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STUART, Fla., March 4 (UPI) -- A private funeral is planned in Florida for 1960s teen idol and Monkees lead singer Davy Jones, who died of a sudden heart attack Feb. 29.

The Hollywood Reporter said Saturday public memorials would also be held in New York and in his native England, but no dates for any of the services have been announced.

Jones' family asks that donations be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or a local chamber of the charity in honor of the late singer's niece, who died of MS, The Washington Post reported.

Jones' representative, Helen Kinsich, said in an e-mailed statement: "Jones died after spending a happy family weekend with his wife, Jessica Pacheco, and her family riding horses. There was no sign of illness or of anything being wrong. He died of a massive heart attack while back at the stables with his horses. The medical examiner has confirmed his cause of death."

Jones, 66, had raced horses in England before starting his acting career and was selected as the first member of The Monkees. The group had a television show from 1966-1968 and recorded four No. 1 albums, the New York Daily News said.