John Patrick Sherlock

1927 - 2018

SHERLOCK - John Patrick, Jr., 91, died peacefully at his St. James, NY home in the loving arms of his wife of nearly 63 years, Roberta Jean (Boccafola), on Tuesday, July 24th. Born April 26, 1927, in Astoria, Queens, to parents John and Anita, Jack was a scholar at Bishop Loughlin High School where he was a championship track runner. From 1945-1947, he was in the army during WWII before continuing his academic and athletic careers at Manhattan College, later earning post-graduate degrees from both NYU and St. John's University. Jack was an accomplished and respected English teacher at Half Hollow Hills East High School for 33 years, and Adjunct Professor of English at SUNY Farmingdale and Nassau Community College for 29, and then 14 years, respectively. He taught over five thousand students from 1957-2004 and took immense pleasure and pride in his role as a teacher of literature and writing. In addition to being a lover of language, Jack was an avid fisherman, naming each of his cherished fishing boats, "Happy Jack," as that was his great joy. His passion for English and fishing were surpassed only by his love for his family. Jack is survived by his wife and seven children, John P. III (Elizabeth), Ellen Marie, Kevin James (Randy), Robert Francis (Pamela), Richard Andrew (Anja), Christopher Michael (Linda), and Elizabeth Anne O'Shea (John). Jack also leaves behind his nineteen beloved grandchildren and his much-anticipated first great-grandchild, expected to arrive in December, 2018. Services will be held at St. James Funeral Home from 2-4 and 7-9 on Thursday, July 26th. Funeral Mass at Sts. Philip and James Roman Catholic Church in St James at 11:15am on Friday, July 27th. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Good Shepherd Hospice.