John "Jack" Buerrosse

Jack was born on October 5, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan to Robert and Winifred Buerrosse. The family moved to California in 1958, settling in Garden Grove. Growing up, he watched the fireworks from Disneyland at night with his brothers, Bob and Jim, and sister, Peggy. They would ride their bikes to Disneyland and sneak through the employee entrance, walking through the park like they owned the place. They spent summer days at Newport Beach, where Jack hitchhiked to the beach and learned to surf at The Wedge.

In 1965, Jack was drafted to the army. He was stationed in Mannheim, Germany in the military police, where he refined his love for beer. In 1969, he met the love of his life, Mary Lou, who was visiting California with her best friend and his cousin, Lynn. From the minute he saw Mary Lou, he knew it was meant to be and called off other “entanglements.” After a brief courtship, they married in 1970 and settled in Fountain Valley, California. In 1973, they moved back to Mary Lou’s hometown of Montclair, New Jersey, where they welcomed their daughters Michele and Denise. Shortly after, they moved to West Orange, where they spent over forty years in the home that Jack lovingly renovated and meticulously maintained, before retiring to Toms River in 2018.

Everyone who knew Jack loved him. He truly had a twinkle in his eye, with a great sense of humor and a mischievous laugh that endeared him to everyone who was lucky enough to meet him. He always had a smile on his face and was a kind and loving person who generously gave to others. If you needed help with anything, Jack was there before you could ask for help, even if he barely knew you. A skilled carpenter, Jack built everything by hand, drank beer and told jokes with the guys, but he was blessed with a house full of women, who he taught to hang sheetrock, spackle and paint. He always had the greenest lawn on the block and his flowers were grown from seed in his basement. He spent countless hours at Home Depot, loved looking at the stars through his telescope, and could beat anyone at Jeopardy. Jack loved history and coin collecting, sharing his passion with his grandchildren. Grampy Jack or Jack Jack, as he was known to his grandchildren, was the ultimate snuggler who loved going to the Outer Banks, Maine and Lake George with his grandkids. He never missed an opportunity to spend time with them, traveling to watch hockey, swimming and track (but rugby proved to be too much for him). He will be missed by all.

Jack is predeceased by his father, Robert Buerrosse, his mother Winifred Buerrosse, and his brother, James Buerrosse. Jack is survived by his loving wife Mary Lou; his daughter Michele Carcich and her husband Chris, his daughter Denise Jenner and her husband Nick; his brother Robert Buerrosse and sister Peggy Voehl; and five grandchildren, Lyla, Jake, Charlie, Luke and Casey.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Kathryn J. Andresakes Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Providence College, 1 Cunningham Square Providence, R.I. 02918.