He came of age during the Great Depression, living in a Manhattan tenement basement with his mother and sister, yet he lived a remarkably rich 100-year life defined by music and art.
As a boy and young man, he played the clarinet and saxophone. When World War II erupted, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Army, seeing combat in Europe with the 71st Infantry Division. As his squadron’s cameraman, he recorded the horrific scenes during the liberation of a Nazi concentration camp, Gunskirchen, in Austria. He was awarded the Bronze Star and answered the call to service once again to fight in the Korean War.
Returning to civilian life, Jack remained a lifelong musician and artist. His intricately designed cut-and-pasted paper art was recently featured in more than a dozen library galleries across Long Island, earning widespread celebration in local newspapers.
Jack was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Terry. He is survived by his children, Russ, Susan, Eva, and John; his grandchildren, Isabelle, Lauren, Charlie, CJ, Elisa, Danielle, Olivia, Ava, and Mars; and his great-grandchildren, Luna, Beckham, Grayson, Cameron, Benny, Hudson, Ziggy, Theo, and Millie Rose.
Visitation will be held at Quinn Fogarty Funeral Home, 192-15 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11358, on Saturday September 26, 2026, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.
A Committal Service will follow at Mount St. Mary Cemetery, 172-00 Booth Memorial Ave, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365.
