Ira Joel Peck

HIGH POINT Ira Joel Peck passed away on November 8, 2016 at River Garden Hebrew Home in Jacksonville, FL. He was born in Newark, NJ on June 5, 1927, and lived in Hillside and West Orange, NJ. Ira graduated from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, with a BS in mechanical engineering and a BA in liberal arts. He received his MS in mechanical engineering from Newark College of Engineering. He was married to his beloved wife, Evelyn Greenberg Peck, originally from Greensboro, NC, for 57 years. They lived in the Philadelphia, PA area for 30 years before retiring to Jacksonville in 1994. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sons, Larry and Michael, and Michael's wife, Ren?e Bauer.Ira's passions revolved around family and flight; he worked on NASA's Biosatellite 3 program and spent years developing aircraft-carrier launch systems for the U.S. Navy. Yet no one was more down-to-earth or better grounded. Whatever the challenge presented by life or poor health, Ira was never heard to complain. Loved and admired by all who knew him, he was a master of dry wit, a connoisseur of corny jokes, and a low-key lord of the Trivial Pursuit board. His laugh and his wisdom will be sorely missed.The Peck family would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of the wonderful staff at River Garden for their compassion and loving care these past four years. We will be forever indebted to you.Ira will be buried in High Point, NC, in a graveside service on Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Hebrew Cemetery. A memorial service will be announced for a later date at River Garden Hebrew Home.The family request that memorials be given to River Garden Hebrew Home, 11401 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville, FL 32258. Arrangements by Cumby Family Funeral Service, High Point.