Jack Dunmead Obituary
Jack, the son of the late George and Jean Dunmead of Niagara Falls, grew up in a loving and supportive family with his sister, Sally. Sally and his brother in law, Lex Eddy had 4 boys who always looked up to uncle Jack as their role model. Jack left Niagara Falls a long time ago but Niagara Falls never left him.
Jack is predeceased by his in-laws Charles and Evelyn Hartley, who cared for him as their own.
With deep affection, Jack leaves behind his devoted wife of 55 years, Betty (Hartley), and three loving children: Jill and her husband David Laine of Bonita Springs, FL; Lori and her husband Joseph Krowski Jr. of Easton, MA; and Ryan and his wife Kristen of Easton, MA. His legacy continues through his ten cherished grandchildren: Jack, Brady, Julian, Riley, Jaden, Carter, Jorja, Kennedy, Colin, and Courtney.
Jack's life was defined by remarkable achievements. He earned a bachelor's degree from Springfield College and a master's from Bridgewater State University. He proudly served as a member of the Army National Guard for six years. A High School All American in basketball, he excelled in the competitive Cranberry League for years. Jack's love for tennis, discovered in college, led to a distinguished teaching career and a remarkable competitive journey. Ranked number 1 in New England for multiple years in both singles and doubles. He also earned several titles at the national level. He was an active and proud member of the USPTA and NELTA for years. Jack made a lasting impact on the tennis community on and off the court but particularly in doubles alongside his partner, David Brookfield.
For two decades, Jack shared his passion for education at Brockton High School, teaching physical and drivers education. Later, as the Director of Tennis at Dedham Health and Athletic Complex, he continued to inspire others. Honored in both the Niagara Falls Sports Hall of Fame and the USTA New England Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI. Jack's contributions to the sports world were truly exemplary.
Post-retirement in Florida, Jack found a new passion for golf, winning multiple Club Championships and achieving an astonishing thirteen hole-in-ones. His retirement was full of more on court time coaching in his community of Lake Fairways in North Fort Myers and Mid Cape Racket club in Cape Coral. He made dear friends there and countless memories.
As accomplished as he was in life, Jack's greatest achievement was being the best husband, father, and grandfather anyone could ask for. Jack was kind, loving, hysterical, loved dancing, easy going and always in a good mood. His memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who were privileged to have known him. His legacy will live on through his kids and grandchildren. He was so incredibly loved and will be immensely missed.
Your presence is appreciated at the services for Jack at Kanes Funeral Home on Washington street in Easton, MA January 7, 3-6pm
A mass will be held in his honor at 10am on Monday January 8 at Holy Cross Church on Purchase St in Easton, MA
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jack, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Richard (Dick) Trust
September 11, 2025
I remember Jack very well - and I spent only one day in his presence. Actually, it was less than two hours that we shared the same space, breathed the same air. It was sometime in the 1970s. Jack would be revered as head tennis coach at Brockton High School, ranked high among the elite players in New England. I was sailing along up and down the ladder in the Braintree town tennis tournament, taking on all comers and beating all but two of almost 20 opponents. I lost only one match and tied one other. I thought I was a hotshot when I wound up in the finals against another player with only one loss. So, Mr. Hotshot decided to enter a tennis tournament in Boston's South End. I figured I might draw a player I could defeat, or at least perform well enough to raise some eyebrows. Wrong. As a true amateur, a household name only in my own household and in the office of the Braintree recreation department, I drew a genuine hotshot - Jack Dunmead. I had never heard of him, and he certainly had never heard even a whisper of my name. No matter. We shook hands at the start of the match, all even at 0-0. He served first. I stood back near the baseline as the ball whizzed toward me, took one bounce and, with enormous spin, flew over my head. My racquet, a wooden Wilson Jack Kramer model, never made contact with the ball. Dunmead up, 15-love. Serve number two. Whoosh. Bounce. Spin. Bye-bye, birdie. Dunmead up, 30-love. Next, my serve. A virtual lollipop, which came back to me - rather, toward me - and away, beyond my reach. My second serve. Ditto. Game one, Mr. Dunmead. From that point on, Jack realized what he was facing. Not wishing to embarrass me (any further), he eased up on me and I actually made racquet contact with some of the fuzzy spheres headed in my direction. Jack was respectful of my standing, allowing me to play some tennis with back-and-forth exchanges but maintaining his status as an elite entrant. I didn't win a game, lost, 6-0, 6-0, but walked off the court with a measure of dignity. Dignity and a ton of respect for my opponent. Jack Dunmead beat me good, but he did not crush my desire to play within my own bounds and against players of my own caliber. I walked off that court with my head high and a gleam in my eye, honored to have faced a true talent on a level of which I could never attain. More significant, I admired my opponent for caring about my feelings as much or more as he did the score. I had a racquet with the name Jack Kramer on it. Great player, that Kramer fellow. Truth be told, I'd be as proud or more proud if the name on my racquet read Jack Dunmead.
Matthew James Sanzone
March 28, 2024
RIP Jack. I'm sure you're hanging out with our loved members of the great class on 1963.
Bob Emrich
February 2, 2024
I was a teammate of Jack on 1961-62 Varsity Basketball team at Springfield. The comradery, memories, and friendships will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Dunster
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