Jack Sawl Obituary

Jack Leonard Sawl was born on January 17, 1929, in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. After losing his father at nine years of age he was raised in the Jewish Children's Home. He died with his family at his side on Sunday, September 20, 2009, in Fresno, California . At the age 17 Jack joined the United States Merchant Marines and traveled the world. In 1952, he served in El Paso, Texas as an Army instructor for the Nike missile program. It was in Texas he met the love of his life Estelle Miller. They were married in 1953, and raised their family of four children. He was the original 'Jack of all trades'. His persistence led to his fruitful partnership with Willard Eisner and the success of Abbey Transportation Systems. His passions for jazz, photography and the outdoors were meaningful to him only when he could share them with family and friends. The joy in Jack's life was to bring all of his family ever closer together - that was the single most important part of his life. He was a 32nd degree Mason and member of the Scottish Rite, Shriners and American Legion. He worked tirelessly to support children's causes of all needs, never forgetting the care he received as a child. Jack is survived by his wife, Estelle Sawl; his children, Ron Sawl and his wife, Lynn, Steven Sawl and is wife Cynthia, Cynthia Taleisnik and her husband Martin, and Marc Sawl; his grandchildren, Jordan and Alexandra Taleisnik, Katelyn Sawl, Tamra Mendoza, and Khym and David Sousa; his great-grandchildren, Brooke and Taylor Sousa, and Lynsey Mendoza; his sisters, Irene Cooper, Shirley Milgrom, and Bettye Eisner and her husband Willard; his nieces and nephews, Vicki Milgrom, Jeff, Christine, Paige, Lindsey, and Shelby Milgrom, Mitchell, Stacy, Samantha, and Sydney Eisner, Pepper, Paul, Andrea, and Connor Fourchy, and Caryn and Rayne Cooper. A Graveside Service will be held at Beth Israel Cemetery, 1701 W. Belmont Ave. in Fresno on Friday, September 25, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. Following the services, there be a reception at Temple Beth Israel, 6622 N. Maroa Ave., Fresno. Remembrances may be made to Camp Taylor (camp for children with heart disease), 5424 Pirrone Rd., Salida Ca. 95368. LISLE FUNERAL HOME 1605 'L' Street Fresno, California (559)266-0666

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Published by Fresno Bee on Sep. 24, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Jack Sawl

9 Entries

Lindsay Leffall

October 19, 2009

On behalf of the Leffall Family, we send our love and prayers. Mr. Sawl was special to us and was one of the closest to my father, David Leffall who passed 6 years ago, Nov 12. Mr. Sawl spoke at my fathers funeral. I just heard yesterday that he had passed. It was shocking to me because it seemed that I had just talked to him and he helped guide me in crucial point in my life. My father, before he passed asked Mr. Sawl to watch over us (I was there to hear it). And he was there for us whenever we needed him. We are going to miss him deeply. We pray God's love, comfort and peace surround you. With Love, Lindsay, on behalf the Leffall Family (Roxanne, Elizabeth and myself). Estelle...My mother will be in contact. We love you.

Ron Sawl

September 29, 2009

Dear Friends,
On behalf of my mother, brothers and sister, thank you for the kind words. I've printed out your entries for Mom and she sends her deep appreciation, as do I.

Thank you again for remembering my father.

Ron Sawl

September 28, 2009

Jack and Estelle bring fond memories to heart. Jack was a very compassionate and caring man except when he was aggravating Estelle. We loved how Estelle faced him and loved him. He gave my daughter unconditional love and she mourns his loss. We are thinking of Miss Cindy and send our love to all of his survivors.

Aspen Colorado

Lauren has fond memories of Jack

September 28, 2009

Jack loved to read books to Lauren- she was 2 or 3. Sorry this is weird but he liked to clip her toe nails too. Hee. While playing his drums he encouraged her to establish her own hide out. He always gave her an instrument to play while he was snaring. Her condo was in a nearby walk-in closet where she could hear Jack playing drums and he often encouraged her her to sing along with "It Must Be Jelly cuz Jam doesn't Shake Like That!" Estelle was a major part of the condo hideout. All the special touches, embellishments.
They placed a couch and a homemade television with dials in her "condo". While she was pushing a cart through their kitchen doing grocery shopping in their pantry. Jack was ready for her when she was ready to check-out. This was her introduction to shopping wise. For the record she is a radical DJ, organizes concerts, especially loves Blues and Jazz (go figure) and loves to sing in bands and has a beautiful, sometimes sultry voice. She is a dangerous snowboarder and loves consignment shops where she can find retro wear that Estelle would adore.

Jack encouraged me to run. I hated running. We ran with me for a summer. Then he would take me out to dinner and whisper "oh gosh this is going to cause gossip" When we got home he would immediately run to Estelle and say "did anyone call you and say I was out with a blonde?" When Jack was rude to Estelle I remember turning to him and looking completely appauled. When I told him that was not a good way to treat a woman he would laugh and throw his face up to the sky and say... "you know nothing about Jews."

Fond Memories of the the unconditional love and incredible generosity and more love than ever given to Lauren and Tobie by Jack and Estelle. Estelle... what are you going to do without you Tasamania Devil? Lauren loved Cindy too, lots of hair-dos and fru-fru stuff.

BERNARD SILBERT

September 28, 2009

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Ward Hollesen

September 26, 2009

Very sorry to hear of Jack's passing I drove bus for Jack for about7 years. I remember when my youngest daughter would go in with me to the office for some type of business and as gruff aso he might be as a boss it seems that his heart would melt and his eyes would twinkle and he would always take time out from his busy day to spend some time with her. He is one of those "one of a kind" type people and was a good boss and will always remember him.

Debbie Hose

September 24, 2009

Jack and Estelle are very special people in my life. They welcomed me into their home and treated me as family. I will never forget their love and kindness and will always hold them dear in my heart. Each time I saw Jack or talked to him on the phone he had a joke to tell. I will miss the twinkle in his eye and infectious smile. I am honored to have known Jack and will remember him with fondness. My condolences to the family. I'm sorry for your loss and know this is a difficult time but I hope you are comforted by knowing Jack is in a peaceful place.

E Mintz

September 24, 2009

We mourn Jack’s sudden passing.
We spent many memorable times together and he will be remembered and missed by us all, his friends from Chabad. He had a special relationship with the beloved Rabbi Levi Zirkind, and was instrumental in establishing the Chabad House of Fresno.

May his memory be a blessing

Ben Sondheim

September 24, 2009

Love to the Sawl, Eisner and extended family in this time of grief. So many memories of great times together with our families (Let's Go To Disneyland). Jack was one of a kind and I will always remember him. He, Estelle and my Mom and Dad sure had some good times in '60s era Vegas and elsewhere. And those stories! What a storyteller! Jack, you will jam with the greats on that trap set...he so loved the drums. Thank you, Jack Sawl.

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