Jack Neil Pinkerman of West Springfield passed away on March 23, 2025, at the Mount Carmel Care Center in Lenox, Massachusetts, surrounded by the scenic hills of the Berkshires. He was born on June 17, 1937, in Huntington, West Virginia. Jack attended both Milton High School in West Virginia and Beaverton High School in Oregon, where he excelled as an athlete. His talent on the baseball field earned him an offer to play professionally with the Pittsburgh Pirates during his senior year. However, he chose instead to serve his country, enlisting in the United States Air Force. His service led him to Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts, where fate intervened one weekend at Hampden Ponds in Westfield—there, he met the love of his life, Kay. Jack and Kay married and built their life in West Springfield, where they raised four children and later found great joy in spending time with their nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Jack was a devoted member of the West Springfield community. He was an active Lions Club member, taught Sunday school, coached youth basketball, baseball, and soccer, and served as a Cub Scout leader. In 2013, he received the Ray Distefano Award for his contributions to the community. Jack’s greatest passion was coaching soccer. He founded the first West Springfield Pioneer Valley travel team and coached several West Springfield varsity boys' teams in off-season travel leagues. His coaching career extended to the collegiate level when he served as head varsity soccer coach at American International College from 1980 to 1986. Jack’s lifelong dedication to coaching, mentorship, and community service left a lasting impact on countless athletes and families in West Springfield. Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Henrietta Kay Pinkerman; his son Jack Pinkerman Jr. and wife Chunya, along with their children, Jack and Ling; his son Donald Pinkerman and wife Karen, and their children, Kate, Matthew (Amanda), and Sarah; his son Theodore J. Pinkerman and Kathy Pinkerman, and their son, Theodore J. Pinkerman Jr. (Kayla); and his daughter Susan Moore and husband James, with their children, Alexandra Mahoney (Kyle), Haley Halter (Justin), and Julia Moore. He also leaves behind three great-grandchildren, Scarlett, Paxton, and Hazel, with one more on the way, as well as his brother-in-law, Robert Milar (Donna). A private service with full military honors will be held at the Massachusetts Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. The West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home is handling all arrangements. For online condolences please visit curranjones.com.
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