More detail on this person: In his hometown,
Girard, OH, Jack was called "the all-American
boy." Tall, blonde, and blue-eyed, he had the
look. From Little League to the All County
Football Team, he had the athleticism. Eagle
Scout, Boys State Rep, band, Presbyterian Church,
he had the activities. And, as class
Valedictorian, he had the intelligence. Yet, part
of Jack's appeal was his total lack of conceit. In
fact, his quiet, unassuming manner belied his many
accomplishments. Jack learned his work ethic and
handyman skills from his dad Bill, owner of a TV
repair business. His mother, Frances Woods
Gerke, was a high school language teacher who
imparted the importance of education.
Jack was a 1968 graduate of the USMA at West
Point. The rigors of Ranger School and the
fascination of flight school followed. A member of
the Corps of Engineers, his assignment at Camp
Drum was fortuitous because while there he began
dating Mary-Ellen Hospers of Rochester. Jack
served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam.
Stateside, he was assigned to Fort Knox, KY, as a
company commander. Jack and M-E married in
1971 and spent a decade in the Bluegrass
State.
Back in civilian life, Jack accepted an
engineering position with Ford in Louisville. It
was here son Steven was born in 1974. Daughter
Samantha completed the family in 1979. Jack
became involved in local politics and was elected
to the town council of Keeneland and as mayor of
Hickory Hill. He also enrolled in the Masters of
Environmental Science program at U of L. As a
home owner, he was truly a "Jack of all trades,"
excelling at carpentry, plumbing, and electrical
work. He was slow, but he was a perfectionist. A
devoted dad, he served as T-ball and basketball
coaches. As Cub and Boy Scout leader, he
accompanied Steven to Camp Massawepie and on
troop field trips throughout the East. He cheered
at Sam's soccer games and applauded at her
concerts and recitals. His "two great kids"
idolized their dad.
A job change brought the family to Rochester in
1980, where Jack's engineering career continued at
Rochester Products/Delphi for over 30 years. Many
called him "their best boss ever." As a manager,
Jack was an outstanding mentor, promoting each
employee's strengths. He delighted in playing on
the company's Old Timers Softball League and
earned a Masters in Science from RIT where he
was elected to Tau Beta Pi, honorary engineering
society. An ardent football fan, Jack grew up
rooting for the Browns and then the Bills. He
remained loyal, but became tired of "rebuilding
years."
He will be forever missed and cherished by his
wife Mary-Ellen. After 45 years of marriage they
came to finish each other's sentences and read
each other's minds, but fortunately did not come
to look like each other nor like Lizzie, the
family dog. They loved spending time on simple
pleasures: bicycling along the Erie Canal path,
walking Liz, doing home projects, playing word
games. Their hobby was visiting state capitals,
and they managed to complete their 50 capital
quest. Jack's counsel will forever guide Steven,
Sam, and her husband Steve Krajczynski. Their
daughter Allison was Jack's rainbow for the past
19 months. How we wish Papa had remained in her
life much longer. He was loved and respected by
his sister, Dr. Alice Gerke McAfee and her husband
Dr. Rich McAfee, his sister-in-law Jill Fennell
and her husband Jim and his brother-in-law Mark
Hospers. He was proud of his nieces and nephews,
Ian, Cori, Dylan and Colette McAfee and Jaime
Arthur and Katy Fennell.
Our family expresses heartfelt thanks to Aram
Hezel, MD, Carol Lustig, NP and Laura Kent, RN for
their kindness, compassion and competence. To
honor Jack, consider a donation to the Wilmot
Cancer Center designated for pancreatic cancer
research.
A service in celebration of his life will be held
on SATURDAY, MAY 20th at 10AM, St. Mark's
Church, 54 Kuhn Rd., 14612.
This information was last updated 04/24/2017
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Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023
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