JACK R. FILANC

FILANC, JACK R. Jack R. Filanc was born July 18, 1926 to Pierre and Cecil Filanc in Colton, California. Jack was a fourth generation Californian as his great-grand-father emigrated from France and settled in California in the early 1800's. Jack attended high school in Alhambra and graduated in 1942. He immediately enrolled in the Naval ROTC program while attending the University of Southern California. Upon graduation from USC with degrees in Naval Architecture and Civil Engineering, he was commissioned in the Navy and served post-war on board ship. After serving in the Navy, Jack went to work for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power where he practiced Civil Engineering and construction serving as a field engineer. After six years of civil service Jack decided to embark on a different career path. He quit his Job with the City and formed a construction company with three other partners. Even with a growing family, his wife Jane supported his decision to leave a secure job and strike out on his own. The company still thrives today after sixty years as J. R. Filanc Construction. Jack met Jane Cowell while attending USC. After a whirlwind courtship they decided to take a weekend trip to Las Vegas with best friends Bob and Joyce Butler and elope on August 9, 1947. Keeping their marriage a secret from their parents for a year, they finally announced their marriage, celebrating with a traditional wedding ceremony. Jack and Jane settled in Whittier, California where they raised their five children until Jack discovered Encinitas in the early 1960's. They ended up building a "beach" house just a short block from Moonlight beach and spent a couple of summers in this California paradise before finally moving permanently to Encinitas in 1965. Jack was always actively involved in the community and served several terms on the Encinitas Sanitary district board as well as the Encina Joint Advisory Board. He even ran for City Council during Encinitas' first attempt at cityhood. Jack also served the construction industry as President of AGC San Diego, National Director for AGC of America as well as serving on many committees. Jack was quite active in the Boy Scouts of America with his sons and served as Scoutmaster of Encinitas Troop 777 for seven years. Jack earned the Eagle award while attending high school and believed Scouting offered a learning opportunity for the youth of the community. All three of Jack's sons earned the Eagle Award as well as one of his grandsons. When asked what was the most special time of his life he would always answer that spending time with the Boy Scouts and camping and backpacking in the Sierras. Jack enjoyed the outdoors and especially loved to camp and backpack in the local mountains as well as the Sierras. He loved to fish and the thrill of landing a Tuna always left him grinning from ear to ear. Last May he landed, by himself, a 275 pound Blue Marlin off the Kona coast in Hawaii. Jack also loved hunting which provided him another opportunity to be in the outdoors. Jack and his sons hunted big game all over the Western US and he recently traveled to New Zealand for a hunting adventure. Jack's most recent hunting trip was in November in Montana where he harvested his last deer. Jack lived life everyday and never passed on an opportunity to go on an adventure or to just be with friends and family. When asked about retirement, he always replied that he planned to work until the day he died, spending a full day at his office the day before his death. Always the eternal optimist, he had just started planning an 18 day cruise with his wife Pat later this year, making plans for a trophy Elk Hunt in Arizona as well. Jack was a truly generous man. When his daughter Julie passed away, Jack and Jane decided to gift her inheritance to San Diego State University, where Julie attended college, establishing the J.R. Filanc School of Construction Engineering and Management. Jack also provided a significant gift to the Boy Scouts in San Diego to help ensure the Scouting program thrives for the next 100 years. He gave generously to many other organizations and causes and believed that giving back to the community should be a part of every family. Jack is survived by his daughter Polly Filanc, and his two sons James Filanc and Mark Filanc. He is predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Jane Filanc, his eldest son Peter Filanc, and his youngest daughter Julie Filanc. Jack is also survived by his nine grandchildren - August Murphy, Torrey Hernandez, Juniper Filanc-Bowen, Yvette Ubierta, Erica Tanamachi, Michael Filanc, Melissa Filanc, Mark Filanc Jr, and Michelle Filanc. Jack is also survived by 10 great- grandchildren with one more on the way. Jack is also survived by his current wife Patricia Filanc. Jack was one of the kindest and most generous souls ever to have graced this Earth. He leaves behind an incredible legacy, having touched countless lives. Jack will be missed by all his friends and family. A memorial service will be held on January 4, 2013 at 3:00 in the afternoon at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, 120 Stevens Avenue, Solana Beach, Ca. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Campanile Foundation of San Diego State University and directed to the Jack R. Filanc Scholarship Fund.