"We could write a book about Jack’s friendliness, his kindness, his other-worldly ability to make others feel good and the unwavering happiness and excitement with which he navigated his life.  He made that story so easy to write.  All you have to do is sit and recount all of your interactions with this wonderful boy who turned into an equally wonderful man.

Being Jack’s friend was just so easy, so comfortable. It was sharing a laugh, or a beer, or talking about the Patriots. Conversations with him felt like they were happening in front of a warm fire. They always involved new, great people that you needed to meet. They were equal parts happy memories and fun times to come. He always made you feel like you were talking to a guy who was just so damn happy to be talking to you.  

Telling this story is as easy as Jack made it to be his friend."

- From a family friend

Jack’s Story

“Carpe Diem. Seize the Day. Nothing but Excellence”. We shared this phrase with our son Jack every day of his childhood as we dropped him off at school. We are devastated and heartbroken to write that Jack passed away at the age of 24 on January 17th, 2021 in a tragic accident, but so proud in the knowledge that he embraced that phrase with all the vigor one could muster. Jack seized every day he had to the fullest, living more in his 24 years than most do in 80. He never left a moment unused, an opportunity unpursued, or a friendship unmade...

The Most Jack Poem Ever

The Rare Breed 

I envy the courageous, not the gladiators or giant slayers, but the rare breed of people who do not care what others think of them. Who are excited at the prospect of a room full of strangers. Those that can disarm you with a smile, because they are comfortably themselves, because their eyes do not scan your body for your weak spots, their own flaws proudly pinned down the trains of their ball gowns. These people do not look at you, they look for you,  into you, without fear of judgement, without needing to be liked.

That is the courage I envy.

~ Grant Chemidlin