Jack Golly

GOLLY, Jack (aka John E. Gollobith) 86, of Tampa, died at home Aug. 18 after a short battle with cancer. Born John Edward Gollobith in Hanover, IL, on Oct. 17, 1922, he is survived by Laura, his lovely wife of nearly 63 years; son Edward J. of Tampa; daughter Liza S. of New Port Richey; and numerous nieces and nephews. Jack's musical roots were planted in that town of 500 when his pianist mother introduced him to the cello. By his late teens, he discovered his true passion, taking up the clarinet and writing musical arrangements. If you've ever hummed along to "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth," that's a Golly arrangement. He toured the country as a member of the legendary Spike Jones and His City Slickers, then became a staff musician at WGN, Chicago's pioneer TV station. He arrived in Winter Haven in 1954, where he played on a citrus industry-sponsored radio program. Moving to Tampa in 1956, he began performing in the area with "The Showmen." Golly started his own 11-piece orchestra here, fron-ting society and corporate gigs all over the state and backing big-name entertainers who came to town. For 41 years, he led the shipboard band on the Jose Gaspar for the Gasparilla invasion and played for the Gasparilla Balls. Frugal by nature, Jack donated to numerous charities. He was also an accomplished woodworker, adventuresome eater, corny joke-teller and golf enthusiast. Look up "life of the party" in the dictionary, and you'll see his name. He and Laura traveled to more than 50 countries and enjoyed untold amounts of wine on dozens of cruise ships. But his favorite place of all was his beloved country cabin on 66 sloping acres in Candler, NC, where he spent summers on his tractor and crafting home décor in his shop on a lathe from his childhood. Jack's departure leaves a big hole in so many lives, for he was a true original. Who could forget his silly gags, rubber chickens, pilfered road signs and the talking watch? His final wish was to be in a traveling urn, so he could continue visiting the mountains and holding court at parties. We will honor that. Join us Tuesday at noon at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, 1601 S. MacDill, for a celebration of an accomplished life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his name to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.