Jack Edward Rathmell

Jack Edward Rathmell, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and accomplished engineer, passed away peacefully on March 28, 2025. Born on August 19, 1937 in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Jack moved to Florida at the age of 14. He attended Duke University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1959. That same year, he married the love of his life, Pamela Rockwell, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Sea Cliff, New York. 

Jack continued his education, earning a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1961 before serving as a Lieutenant Junior Grade at Fort Maryland from 1961 to 1963. Following his service, he moved to Massachusetts to begin his career with Computer Control Company (3-C) in Framingham, where he was lead engineer on the Apollo pre-launch computer system. In 1968, his work took him to Germany. In 1970, he pivoted to a new passion—running Monroe Harbor Marina in Sanford, Florida. 

Jack later became a yacht broker with Richard Bertram before returning to Massachusetts in 1979 to rejoin the computer industry with Solid State Technologies. His expertise led him to consulting roles with Lotus Development and IBM, where he made a lasting impact before retiring in 2012. In 2017, Jack and Pam moved to Florida, only to return to Massachusetts in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic, settling in Fox Hill Village in April 2022.

A man of many talents and passions, Jack was an accomplished woodworker, an instrument-rated private pilot, and an amateur radio operator (W2AXL). He was happiest when outdoors and when playing with any kind of vehicle - boats, planes, classic cars, and model trains. His favorite things included jazz music, ice cream (especially cherry vanilla), and spending time with his family. 

Jack leaves behind his beloved wife, Pamela, his two daughters, Melissa and Melanie, his sons-in-law, Wayne and Raymond, grandchildren Charles and Sarah and a large, loving extended family. He touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. 

A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at Fox Hill Village, 10 Longwood Drive, Westwood, on April 3rd, 2025 at 12:30 - 2:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice in his honor.