Jack was born in 1926 in Brooklyn, New York to John and Edith Dazzo. He attended New Utrecht High School and Pratt Institute, both in Brooklyn. At the latter, he studied illustration and life drawing.
In 1952, he married Theresa Passafaro of Brooklyn. After residing in Brooklyn for 5 years, they moved to Staten Island. After living on Staten Island for 15 years, they moved to New Jersey where they resided in Old Bridge, Freehold, and ultimately Toms River, where they settled into the Lake Ridge Adult Community.
Early in his animation career, Jack worked for Paramount Pictures in the animation studio. He worked on Popeye, Casper the Ghost and many other characters. After a few years, he did animated television commercials, and won the highest commercial television award, the Clio, for his Alka Seltzer “talking stomach” commercial. He also won the International A.S.I.F.A. award for directing and a Certificate of Merit Award from the Art Directors Club.
Jack also owned a production company, Peridot Films, with two partners. While there he worked on Berenstain Bears and the popular animated series, School House Rock, distributed by Walt Disney.
After retiring, he started to pursue water color painting. He won first prize for two consecutive years in Ocean County, New Jersey for his paintings, and also an Honorable Mention Award.
Jack was well-known around the Lake Ridge community for his monthly cartoon in the Lake Ridge Views newspaper, which he had been doing since moving to the community in 1995. He was a member of the Lake Ridge Magic Club, bocce team, Men’s Club and Italian Club, and played golf, pool, and poker.
Jack is survived by his wife of 66 years, Theresa Dazzo and his three daughters, Donna Dazzo, Diane Tassey and husband Daniel, and Joanne Conahan and husband Neal, and two granddaughters, Danielle Tassey and Caitlin Conahan Palumbo and her husband Gaetano.
Visitation will be held Friday from 4-8 pm at D’Elia Funeral Home, 1300 Vermont Avenue, Lakewood. Funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday 10:30 am at Holy Family Church, 1139 E County Line Rd, Lakewood. Entombment to immediately follow at St. Mary of the Lake Cemetery Mausoleum, Lakewood.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jack’s honor to: “A Friend’s House” C/O Visiting HomeCare Service of Ocean County CN 2010 Toms River, NJ 08754.
