John R. McSunas

John “Jack” Roberts McSunas died on December 17, 2020 at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach due to complications from COVID-19. Jack was born July 26, 1931 in New York City. He spent his youth moving around New York City and a lot of time with his Grandfather Harry Roberts, who greatly influenced his life. Shortly after Jack’s father returned home from World War II, the family moved to Racine, Wisconsin, where he attended Washington Park High School. He went on to attend Holy Cross College in Boston but after his freshman year he transferred to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, on a NROTC Scholarship and where he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. On June 17, 1953 (the day after graduation) he married his high school sweetheart Joan Ransom (who always called Jack by his given name “John”) and he left to serve as Lieutenant (J.G.) in the United Stated Navy in Coronado, California. Jack travelled the world’s seas and ports with the Navy, serving from 1953-1956. After Coronado, they continued their peripatetic early married life – first living in Coronado, followed by stops in Newport (Rhode Island), back to Coronado and Philadelphia – all with the Navy, Miami, San Juan (Puerto Rico), Racine and then Mexico City. During his years in San Juan and Mexico City, he made some of his greatest lifelong friends and was an active presence in the expat community, where the parties and festivities seemed to be never ending. All three of their sons were born while they were living in Puerto Rico and Mexico City. In the late-1960s, Jack and Joan moved to Ridgefield, Connecticut, before moving and settling for good in Corona del Mar, California.

Jack loved travelling and exploring new places. He was fortunate that all of his jobs allowed him to travel the world and always return with entertaining stories and an appreciation for different cultures. Whether it was a run in with Papa Doc Duvalier in Haiti, surviving a plane crash or enjoying the swinging nightlife of 1960s Hong Kong (his own grandfather Harry Roberts was born and grew up in Shanghai), adventure always seemed to follow Jack.

Jack had an innate ability to make anyone feel that he or she was the best at whatever their job or passion was. He was the consummate supporter of others and took a genuine interest and delight in the success of those he cared for – no matter how small or big the success. To that end, after he retired, he became an active volunteer mentor in SCORE Orange County, a nonprofit dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals. Earlier this year, Jack was honored by SCORE by being named the 2020 SCORE Mentor of the Year for Orange County/Inland Empire. For Jack, nothing made him happier than seeing his mentees and their businesses succeed and prosper.

Jack was always in his element when he was entertaining or hosting others – especially close friends and family. The bon vivant in him loved to introduce and provide to others the meals of their lives, always accompanied by the concomitant wine and a heartfelt toast. He was a dedicated father and grandfather, always encouraging and cheerleading each child’s and grandchild’s diverse interests, professional endeavors, hopes and dreams, while always lending a supportive voice to the struggles along the way. However, there was no one more important in his life than his true love, Joan. His selfless dedication to her happiness was evident to all who knew them.

Jack is preceded in death by his wife, Joan, and is survived by his sons Andy of Danville, California; Tim of Corona del Mar, California; and Michael of Grosse Pointe, Michigan; daughters-in- law Sherri, Karen and Debbie; grandchildren Michael, Taylor, Blake, Katie, Casey, Ransom and Hadley; and great grandchildren Cooper and Mazie.

A memorial service is planned at a date to be determined later. In lieu of flowers please send donations to SCORE Orange County, 2417 Norse Ave., Costa Mesa CA 92627.