John W. Gathard, Jr. "Jack"

Remembering John W. Gathard Jr. “Jack”        January 31,1940-February 26-2026

As he wintered in south Florida, John W. Gathard, Jr, patriarch of the Gathard family, peacefully passed away today after long illnesses. Present with him were his wife, Bonnie, his siblings (Jim, Joe, Marianne and their respective spouses), as well as nieces and nephews. His children (Lisa, Joanne, Debbie), and step-children (Terri Pekarcik, Christine Pekarcik, and Stephen Pekarcik) were in frequent contact especially as his health declined.

Jack’s ‘dash’ (1940-2026) is remembered by his adventurous lifestyle filled with a vast variety of entrepreneurial experiences. His wit and inquisitive style was known to all. He will be welcomed by family and friends who predeceased him. They too, will be entertained by his humor, laughter and magical entertainment. As a youth he was quite athletic in team and individual sports with great strength and speed particularly in high school and freestyle wrestling. Watersports was also an area of excellence, which included a stint as a camp water-skiing instructor. Following military service and some brief experience in the airlines, he soon followed his dad into the electrical contracting business that he transformed into a successful commercial enterprise from a mostly localized residential business. More recent adventures included traveling in an RV and motorcycling with his wife. They made many motorcycling friends and acquaintances across the country.

To know Jack you are guaranteed to hear a ‘story’. These stories were extraordinarily varied in their diversity of people, places and events. Some folks know a few, some many, most are still learning of them for the first time. He touched so many, so often there will always be new stories being told. Most of all – He did it his way!