It is our sad duty to report that John Michael Hunter, known to you all as Jack, passed away Monday, July 27, 2026 of complications from lung cancer. Jack was a friend to all he met as well as coach, mentor and role model to young people on Chicago’s Northwest Side for nearly half a century.
Jack came into the world on January 30, 1956, the second son of Jan and Ken Hunter. His given name was John Michael, but as you know, he gave that name back to become Jack, a soon to be coaching legend. Jack attended grade school at St. Priscilla’s, high school at St. Patrick’s and pursued college coursework at Northeastern Illinois University. After graduating high school in 1975, Jack began to participate in programs at Shabbona Park, becoming an instructor in 1976. For the next 32 years Jack became a nearly permanent and indefatigable fixture at The Park. During his time at Shabbona, Jack coached football, basketball and baseball, leading The Park teams to multiple championships during his tenure.
Coach Jack was not only an inspiration and a great tactician, but also an innovator. As instructor, Jack was an early promoter and popularizer of Biddy Basketball, a creation that made the sport fun and accessible for even the youngest participants. For this contribution, Jack was immortalized. In 2004 the Illinois Basketball Coaches inducted Coach Jack into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Hall of fame. Jack’s enshrinement into the Hall was an amazing and well-deserved honor.
Coach Jack retired from the Chicago Park District in 2008. While this ended his work connection to his beloved Shabbona, later in his life, Jack returned to serving young people at the Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club as an instructor. This commitment afforded Coach Jack the opportunity to remain an important figure in the lives of young people til the end. Coach Jack’s influence can never be overrated. His legacy will live for however long Chicago’s parks, and especially Shabbona Park, continue.
Jack is survived by his brothers, Rick and Buzz Hunter and cousins, Pam Novack and Tom Hackman, and loving Uncle to Patrick Hunter.
Arrangements for Coach Jack include a visitation to be held at Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home, 6901 West Belmont Ave, Chicago, on Tuesday August 4, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Chapel Prayers Wednesday 9:45 AM to St Priscilla Catholic Church, 6949 W. Addison St, Chicago, for 10:30 AM Mass.
Burial will follow at Maryhill Catholic Cemetery , 8600 N Milwaukee Ave, Niles.
In lieu of flowers, please make monetary donations to the Neighborhood Boys' and Girls' Club 2501 W. Irving Park Rd., Chicago, IL 60618 or www.nbgc.org. Please omit flowers.
For more information please call (773) 622-9300.
