Jack Lloyd

Jack was born on April 2, 1928, in Millville, New Jersey to the late Charles and May Lloyd. The youngest of 12 children, Jack entered the world just seconds after the birth of his twin sister, Joy. As an adolescent, Jack apprenticed to an electrician. Though working, he was an avid reader, excelled in school, and graduated at the top of his high school class. As soon as Jack came of age, he enlisted in the army.

Initially deployed to the Panama Canal Zone, Jack was transferred to the subbase on St. Thomas, USVI, where he met Ethel Grace, then working as a secretary at the site. The transfer from Panama, and their meeting at the subbase, marked the beginning of a lifetime of love and devotion. Following months of chaperoned dating, occasionally with Ethel Grace’s entire extended family in tow, Jack and Ethel announced their engagement. A year later, they eloped.

Jack and Ethel settled in Lansing, Michigan to be near friends and so Jack could take advantage of G.I. bill to attend college. Eleven months later the young couple greeted their firstborn, Stephen (1949) and relocated to Fair Lawn, New Jersey to be close to two of Ethel’s sisters. By day Jack sold industrial paint for Subox Corporation; by night he studied at Rutgers University. By the time Jack graduated as valedictorian of his class, the Lloyd family had grown to include niece Nancy, nephew Ronald, and daughters Susan (1953) and Jackie (1954). Philip (1957) and Annette (1961) followed.

Later, as Jack moved up the corporate ladder over the course of 29 years at Motorola, Ethel tended the home fires and managed multiple out-of-state moves. Faith, and the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church, helped organize Lloyd family life, whether in New Jersey, or Florida, or Illinois, or North Carolina. The kids went to Catholic schools; First Communions and Confirmations were causes for celebration; Lent was observed. Mass was the Sunday ritual, along with Jack’s pancakes and crumb cake.

Jack was recognized for his leadership of the Holy Name Society and the Knights of Columbus. In later years, he contributed his time and talents to a prison ministry and organized efforts to encourage vocations to the priesthood. When Jack and Ethel celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary, their kids arranged the best possible honeymoon: tickets to Rome and a visit to the Vatican. At the time, Pope John Paul recognized and blessed the couple. Their faithful earthly love continued through seventy-four years.

Jack was appreciated for his integrity, his generosity, his loyalty – and for his jokes. He had a “story” for every occasion. He would ask: “Did I ever tell you about the time” and launch into a vivid, hilarious tale. For his humor, his constancy, and so much more, Jack is lovingly remembered by his wife of 74 years, Grace Lloyd; his sons Stephen Lloyd (Rita) and Philip Lloyd (Betsy) and daughters, Susan Lloyd, Jackie Lloyd (Bill), and Annette Conners (Rich); six grandchildren: Michael (Andrea), Dana (Rich), Lizzy, Nick, Kate, and Jack; and five great-grandchildren: Mira, Emma, Evan, Sydney, and Owen. Jack will be missed by family and friends, especially Cindy Beebe, Mary Ellen Lloyd, Liz Miller, Catherine Mills, and Judy and Mike Stevens.

A funeral mass will take place on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 3008 Old Raleigh Road in Apex, North Carolina. Those unable to attend in person can view the funeral mass online at 11 a.m. using this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdsAbnVKfIE. Burial, and a celebration of life, will take place on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Avenue, in Raleigh, North Carolina.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be made to organizations where Jack Lloyd volunteered his time, talent, and treasure:

Food for the Poor,

6401 Lyons Road,

Coconut Creek, Florida 33073,

www.foodforthepoor.org

St. Andrew Council of Knights of Columbus (#6650),

c/o Steve Schaale,

3008 Old Raleigh Road,

Apex, North Carolina 27502,

www.kofc6650.org

USA Council of Serra International,

Serra’s National Council for the United States,

333 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 500,

Chicago, Illinois 60606,

www.serraus.org

Fond memories and expressions of condolences can be shared online at www.apexfuneral.net.