Thursday, August 29, 2013
Jack was the 1st neighbor we met on Panel Lane. He came over to introduce himself when we were both building our homes. He told us he had 8 kids and 4 dogs! . That day was over 36 years ago, and many more times since then, he got a great kick out of kidding us. It even carried down to the next generation, when earlier this summer he fell on our driveway while pretending to steal our grandson's bike. He really hurt himself, but he loved interacting with the toddler and likewise Cormac enjoyed seeing him and Fritz when visiting us.
Jack was always the go to guy on Panel Lane. Like a local mayor he knew and talked to everyone, and kept an eye and an ear out for all of us.
He would always lend a hand for any neighbor that could use it. He did not need to be asked- he just came over and offered to help; Cutting trees, pulling well pumps, or snowplowing the driveways during some of the more massive snowstorms.
He also called us if he saw there was a package at our garage door and it was raining.
He worried about our shrubs the deer were eating while we were away, and tried to apologize for not being able to stop them. (Who else would worry about that?)
He was quick to arrive when called by a scared neighbor who thought an intruder was in her house and laughed with her when the noise turned out to be the dishwasher that she forgot had been on a delayed start.
He was also ready with jumper cables when a frantic working mom, who needed to get to her afternoon shift at the hospital, was stuck with a dead battery.
All of the mothers & kids on the street knew they could reach out to Jack if they were stuck and needed help. The dads appreciated the backup too.
Neighbors knew if they were on time, or late leaving, for work depending on whether they saw Jack walking his dog. He was the first to greet them as they left for work each morning.
He will be missed and certainly Panel Lane will not be the same without "Our Jack".
