Ospreys will not see Lake for the United Rugby Championship (URC) run-in or the European Challenge Cup campaign.
This continues with a last-16 away tie against Ulster in Belfast on Saturday with Sam Parry, Lewis Lloyd and Efan Daniels battling it out for hooker duties.
Ospreys fans will not see Lake again before he switches to Kingsholm next season with Jones praising his influence.
“Sport is cruel sometimes and does not always give you the dream ending that you want,” said Jones.
“You just have to deal with the cards that you are dealt. Dewi can look back at his time with Ospreys very fondly.
“I kept in touch with him when he was away with Wales during the Six Nations.
“The way he conducted himself in difficult circumstances at the start of the tournament, off the back of some fairly big news off the pitch in Wales, was first-class.
“The way he shouldered that burden and dealt with it, not shying away from the responsibility. and the way he handled that on and off the pitch was great.
“His performances, especially towards the end of the tournament were very strong and he was leading with his words and his actions.”
