He was born on September , 1922 In Brooklyn, New York to George P. Read and Anna Lee Read. He was lovingly cared for as an infant by Anna A. Hartman and her daughter, Edythe Hartman, and was ultimately kept by them for a lifetime.
Jack served as Chief Motor Machinist Mate in the United States Coast Guard during World War II from 1942 to 1947. He was a member of the Coast Guard Rescue Flotilla One. As a 21 year old, on D-Day, June 6, 1944, Jack took part in the Canadian landing at Juno Beach, Normandy, France, where the Coast Guard were involved in rescuing hundreds of men and one woman. During his years of active service, he was honored with several awards and honors. Most recently, in June 2014, the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, Jack returned to the beaches of Normandy at La Fiere, and during a ceremony while there, was presented with France’s highest decoration, the French Legion d’honneur. This meant the world to Jack as he accepted this award in honor of his comrades. Jack received an Honorable Discharge in 1947. In his retirement years, Jack loved traveling around the country to many Coast Guard events, and was honored to speak at some of these events along the way. He never met a stranger and often had a crowd standing or sitting around him as he recounted his Coast Guard days.
Jack was married to the former Cecilia Cordes for over 57 years before she passed away on June 27, 2008. Jack is survived by eight children: Karen Green (James) of Vineland, NJ; Jacqueline Read of Seattle, WA; William Read, Sr. (Jackie) of Bridgeton, NJ; Robin Del Collo (Peter, Sr.) of Bridgeton, NJ; Steven Read, Sr. (Joanne) of Wilmington, DE; Merri Hickman (Bruce) of Cedarville, NJ; Richard Read (Barbara) of Bridgeton, NJ and Holly Moore (Ernest) of Newfield, NJ. He is also survived by 21 grandchildren: Fred, III, and Kevin; Kimberlee, Allison and Shawn; Peter, Jr., Shaun, Andrew and Nathan; Stacy, Steven, Jr., Stephani and Nicki; Toni, Kristi and Lauren; Meighan and Brandon; and Tyler, Trevor and Courtney, and 26 great grandchildren.
In addition to his wife, Cecilia, he was preceded in death by two infant children, and a grandson, William J. Read, Jr. (Billy Jack). Jack is also survived by his loving fiancé, Geraldine Meilner, of Erie, PA.
Jack was a route salesman for various companies during his career including Shoemaker Dairy in Bridgeton, NJ and Sunbeam Bread in Millville, NJ. He served as President of the Newport, New Jersey School Board, was a County Representative, and also served on the Board of Directors of Treasure Lake in DuBois, PA. He was a member of the Coast Guard Combat Vets Association, the Patrol Craft Sailors Association, the American Legion, Post 26, the Veterans of Foreign Affairs and the National Rifle Association.
Jack’s fondest achievements and memories were his marriage of 57+ years to Cecilia, and the birth of each of his children, his service to his country that he truly loved, and stated “These hold all I care or need to remember. . . .We shall meet again in God’s good time, my loved ones.”
Jack will be laid to rest in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bennett and Houser Funeral Home, Inc.
Online tributes can be made at www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com
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