There has never been a harder worker than Jack. He loved to build things from the ground up and with his own two hands. He worked hard all his life and played hard as well.

Jack was drafted by the Army during WWII after completing his sophomore year in high school. After becoming the only living son, when his brother Harry was killed, he was sent home. Not wanting to return to school he took up the same trade as his Father and became a Metal Lather, in the Carpenters Union Local # 758. This trade would last him a lifetime and provide a good living for him and his family.

As a young man he fell in love with the girl down the street that wore white short shorts. Spreading the lie at school that she had six toes on both feet so as to keep her to himself. They were wed as soon as he returned from the war. Because his Mother was so ill after the death of her first son in the war, they kept their marriage a secret. Returning to their two separate homes for almost a year. Their marriage would produce 5 children and last over 55 years until her death at the age of 72.

In Indianapolis he bought property in a new housing development and began to build his dream house. By hand with a pick and shovel he dug the basement and built a garage. Only to have a neighborhood association fill it in with a backhoe. They wanted it done by a “builder” not some young man working alone. So, he sold the land and bought and built, by hand, the third house to be built on Indian Lake. Later building a two-story boathouse, an additional garage, and his In-Laws house next door. The Lake turned out to be a much better place to raise a family. Always out teaching the children to water ski, ice skate, hill climb the cycles and go carts, ride horses and raise pet dogs, rabbits, skunks, raccoons, you name it.

Once starting his own construction company with his cousin and their sons, he decided it took to much of his family time and went back to Metal Lath. Retiring at Cataract Lake he would build a barn, paddock area and miles of fencing, milling all the lumber himself with the help of his family. It would become a part of his legacy because of it’s magnificence. He would also buy homes to fix up and rent, still making a good income and enjoying building even after retiring.

He passed away after a courageous fight against cancer, leaving his five children, 18 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.