John Sharrard "Jack" Kaufman

KAUFMAN John Sharrard "Jack" Kaufman, 86, died peacefully Sunday morning, July 19, 2009 at his Presque Isle, Mich. residence. A native of Bexley, he spent his final winter years at Kendal at Granville under the loving care of his wife of 38 years, Linda (nee) Foettinger. He was the son of the late Harold J. Kaufman and Hazel (nee) Sharrard. For decades, Jack served as vice president, president and then chairman of Marble Cliff Quarries Co. of Columbus. Under his leadership, many of Ohio's roads, freeways, buildings and airports were built using limestone, stone by-products and labor from its quarries and Marble Cliff's other subsidiaries. He served as a member of the COSI Board and the Advisory Council of Northern Trust Bank of Florida. Jack also chaired the Franklin County Republican Finance Committee, and held leadership positions in numerous other charities and organizations. A former student of the Columbus Academy and a graduate of The Choate School in Wallingford, CN, Jack went on to serve as a U.S. Naval aviator during World War II. He later graduated from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. An avid sailor, Jack competed vigorously in races on the Great Lakes and offshore in the Atlantic. But his greatest love remained with his family, who will remember him always as their towering rock of care and unbending compassion. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, John C. Kaufman, of Tarija, Bolivia; daughters, Janet Felber, Poway, Calif., Carolyn Stein, Carlsbad, Calif. and Heidi Kaufman, Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Torrey and Dillon Felber and Jonathan Stein. Preceded in death by daughter Dana Irvine, and sister Nanciann Ninde. A service in celebration of Jack's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at SCHOEDINGER MIDTOWN CHAPEL, 229 E. State St., where the family will receive visitors from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Hospice of the Sunrise Shore, Alpena, Mich. or Grand Lake Community Chapel, Presque Isle, Mich.