John S. "Jack" Faitoute

John S. "Jack" Faitoute, 93, of New Providence, N.J., passed away peacefully at Runnells Specialized Hospital of Union County in Berkeley Heights, N.J., on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011, surrounded by his children. The visitation will be held at Paul Ippolito Berkeley Memorial, 646 Springfield Ave., Berkeley Heights, N.J., on Friday, Jan. 21, from 4 to 8 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Peace Church in New Providence on Saturday at 10 a.m. followed by the interment in St. Teresa's Cemetery, Summit. For directions or to send condolences please visit www.ippolitofuneralhomes.com. Jack was born in Newark and raised in Hillside, N.J. He spent his summers at the Jersey Shore, where he was the self-proclaimed body surfing champion. In 1943 he enlisted in the Army and served as a sergeant. After marrying, Jack and his wife Melissa lived in East Orange before settling in New Providence in 1955. Jack retired from Kemper Insurance in 1979 after 40 years as head of auto underwriting at the Summit office. During his years in New Providence he served as a board member for the Recreation Commission and coached his sons and many other youths in baseball, flag football, and basketball. His lifelong love of sports, especially the Yankees, was passed on to all of his children and grandchildren. In 1934 he won tickets to baseball's All-Star game at the Polo Grounds for writing a jingle for Big Yank Jeans. Jack was a member of the New Providence Senior Citizens Club. He was the son of the late Perce and Rose (Vedder) Faitoute. Jack was predeceased by his beloved wife, Melissa (Murphy) in 1989, his son, Jef, in 2010, and two brothers, Ralph in 2003 and Bob in 2010. Jack was a loving husband and a devoted father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by children, Virginia of New Providence, Tom and Diane of Fanwood, Dan of New Providence, Melissa and Hank Kita of Watchung, and Jim and Eileen of Cranford. Jack is also survived by 12 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many loving relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Jack's memory to New Providence Rescue Squad, 360 Elkwood Ave., New Providence, N.J. 07974, or Runnells Specialized Hospital Volunteer Guild, 40 Watchung Way, Berkeley Heights, N.J. 07922. The family wishes to acknowledge the wonderful staff at Runnells who treated dad with kindness and compassion.