Jack P. Dempsey

John Peter “Jack” Dempsey passed from this life to the next on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at the age of 95. Jack was born on July 19, 1930, in Malden, Massachusetts to Frank J. and Harriet A. Dempsey. He was the youngest brother to siblings Harriet, Frank, and Gloria. Jack lived in Malden for all his growing-up years. He would tell the story of his father’s great vegetable garden at their home, where he had chores to do to help its upkeep and developed a love for gardening himself. As he grew older, Jack showed great athletic talent in many sports, especially hockey and baseball, lettering in them all 3 years of high school. His hockey team won the Eastern Massachusetts League Championship two years in a row with Jack being named one of the top players.

Post-high school, he attended Bridgton Academy in Maine, Class of 1951, playing football, hockey, baseball and cross country/track. He was voted Best Male Athlete and “Peppiest Boy.” The 1951 Class Prophecy read, “When you go to buy Wheaties, don’t be surprised if you see ‘Jack Dempsey, the All-American Boy’ on the box.” His Bridgton accomplishments were rewarded when, in 2006, Jack was inducted into the Academy’s Hall of Fame as a Student/Athlete for his participation in varsity athletics and extracurricular activities.

Nancy, one of his nieces, recalls Jack’s mom, “Nana,” saying he’d never grow up because he was always running out of the house to play ball. Jack was also one to always enjoy telling jokes. Another nephew, Tommy, tells this story: “My memories of Jack start when I was just a little kid back in the 50's. My dad was Jack's older brother and we grew up in Cambridge. Our family always had Thanksgiving at my Nana and Grandpa's house in Malden. They would always arrive at our house at Christmas time. For years when I was a kid Uncle Jack had me convinced he rode my Christmas bicycle from Malden to Cambridge.” He really enjoyed making people laugh.

Jack left Malden in 1952 when he answered the call to serve his nation by enlisting in the US Army during the Korean War. He was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he met the love of his life, Betty Jean Burgess. He was honorably discharged, and, after dating a *few* more years, Betty and Jack were married on August 19, 1967 in Greenville, Mississippi. They made their home in Ipswich, Massachusetts where he worked in the Dept. of Transportation Civil Engineering section for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. They enjoyed traveling to visit family and friends. Jack loved to drive and was famous for driving straight through to their destination, nonstop! Of course, he played softball and, as they had done in Kentucky, they bowled together. They were passionate about Boston-area professional sports teams like the Red Sox and were even season ticket holders of the Patriots and Celtics for many years. Another hobby they enjoyed was putting puzzles together and many a family visit would include sharing in putting one or more together. A niece, Donna, would tell with so much joy one cold Christmas vacation spent in Ipswich that included skiing and making puzzles.

In 1985 Jack and Betty retired, sold their home in Massachusetts, and made the move to live in Fort Pierce, Florida. While in retirement, Jack continued his love of sports. He played softball for many years, playing and managing a team that traveled all over the state competing in the Senior leagues. Jack and Betty kept up with their bowling hobby, playing in leagues up until their 80’s. And, of course, Jack’s love for all New England sports teams continued as strong as ever in Florida. Many Thanksgiving and other family dinners included a big helping of watching games on TV together. They opened their Florida home to friends and family, especially at Christmas, with kids and grownups sleeping all over the house, waking up to a wonderful after-Christmas morning breakfast.

In 2021, Jack and Betty moved to their final home, the retirement community at Sonata East at Viera, being cared for by their Melbourne family and many wonderful Sonata caregivers. There they enjoyed their last days together until Betty passed away in 2022 after nearly 55 years of marriage. Jack continued living at Sonata and enjoyed many of their planned events and outings. He is survived by a sister-in-law, Patricia Burgess Jenkins, as well as many nieces and nephews, including the great-great generation. Jack loved life, his family and friends, and, yes, all his sports teams, and he will be missed by so many who loved him back.

A visitation will be held on November 8, 2025, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Aycock Funeral Home, located at 6026 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946.

The service will follow at the same location from 11:00 am to 11:30 am.

A graveside service will take place at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 6026 North US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34946, from 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm.