Jack is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, MaryJane, his sons Jack and Mark, their wives Hille and Shannan, and grandsons, Gavin, Andrew and Jackson, his sister Judy Hall and her husband Bob, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Additionally, Jack had what he considered a bonus son, Brian Merrill. He is preceded in death by his father, Jack Sr, and mother Lillian.
Jack was born on January 8, 1946 in Swissvale Pennsylvania. When he was 6 months old, his family moved to the Tampa area where they made their home. He graduated from H.B. Plant High School in 1964 and St Petersburg Junior College in 1966. Jack lived his life in South Tampa where he spent many of his days and nights at the Colonnade restaurant where he met MaryJane.
In his younger years, Jack loved to race his 1966 Mini Cooper in SCCA races throughout Florida and the Southeastern US. As his sons grew older, he coached their baseball teams where Jack and his wife met many of their close and dear friends. Jack also loved to fish in Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, fly fishing throughout the state and in Georgia, tying and making fly fishing lures, and vacationing at the beach. Later in life, Jack discovered his fondness for hiking and hiked the Appalachian Trail. It was this love of the trail that led him to buy a family house in northern Georgia to spend long weekends and holidays.
Jack owned his own business, North Tampa Truck, for over 40 years where he did paint and bodywork on semi-trucks and cars. If one of the kids that he coached dented their car, Jack was always there to make the necessary repairs without hesitation. His love for stray dogs and cats allowed him to provide a home for them at his place of work.
A Celebration of Life ceremony is scheduled from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on June 20th at Blount & Curry Funeral Home in Tampa. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jack’s life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Moffitt Cancer Center, St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.
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