Jack Shoemaker

During this time of reflection before Holy Week, the family and friends of John G. "Jack" Shoemaker have been remembering his kindness and generosity. The son of Fred and Mary Shoemaker, he was born in Erie, on January 27, 1950. He attended and graduated from Holy Rosary Elementary School and Cathedral Preparatory High School.
He was predeceased by his parents (1991 & 2006); his nephew, Matthew Hazelton (2002); his great nephew, Samuel Church (2004); his sister, Beverly Church (2009); and brother Dr. James Shoemaker (2011).
Jack is survived by three sisters and two brothers, Jeanne Shoemaker, of Sun City, Fla; Marilyn Hazelton and husband Daniel, of Allentown, Pa.; Carol Goodwin and husband, Jim of Beaufort, S.C.; Dr. Dennis Shoemaker and wife, Lori of Lancaster, Pa., and Fred Shoemaker and his wife Maggie of Longwood, Fla.; also survived by ten nieces and three nephews, Mary Lou Hoerner (Mike), Kathy Earley (Sean), Susan Berdis (Kevin), Tom Church Jr. (Debbie), Dennis Church (Ashley), Carol Tunstall (Art), Patrick Hazelton (Quang), Erika Sickles (Todd), Jenny Metzdorf (Jake), Samantha Seldomridge (Nate), Illeanna Knapp (Jason), Katrina Shoemaker, and Analisa Shoemaker; He is also survived by several great nieces and great nephews, as well as great-great nieces and great-great nephews.
Jack loved to laugh, and to inspire others to smile or laugh. He often said that his goal was to make at least one person laugh each day. A niece recalled, "When he came to our house when we were kids he would always say "hello, hello, hello!" A sister added that after Jack retired from the Post Office, he loved to travel, and to talk about travel, where he had been and what he liked.
Another sister remembered that Jack loved seeing the sights and theater shows in London and Paris, as well as taking bus trips to attend concerts in Nashville, Tenn. At one of these concerts, she said, he met Daniel O'Donnell, an Irish entertainer and philanthropist, who inspired him to take a 7-day O'Donnell concert cruise in the Caribbean. "Jack knew the words to every song!" she added. "We had such a great time."
A nephew provided these reflections: "He was a kind, gentle uncle who would make the extra effort to send birthday cards, get excited for Erie basketball and baseball games, and was always a loving presence at large family gatherings. I will always remember him up in the stands at Gannon basketball games, next to Grandpa, cheering on his team year after year. "Rest in peace, Uncle Jack."
According to an older brother, Jack was the ultimate uncle, since he attended and celebrated each of his nieces' and nephews' high school and college graduations, no matter the location.
The niece who kept family members informed of Jack's status after he was taken to Hamot Hospital on March 28, shared this story: "I asked my friend who is a priest, Father Ross Miceli, from Saint Jude Church, to come and anoint Uncle Jack. When he arrived at Uncle Jack's room, they had an immediate connection. The two of them laughed together until Uncle Jack went into surgery. When Uncle Jack told him that he hadn't given a donation for the Catholic Service Appeal yet, Father Ross said..."No problem... I'll scan your hospital band right now." Uncle Jack laughed and laughed before they took him for surgery. As my friend Father Ross said... "He left with a laugh and a smile."
Visitation hours will be held from 3:00-7:00 p.m., at Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, Pine Avenue Branch, 845 E. 38th Street, on Tuesday, April 2nd. Those who wish to pay their respects are also welcome to attend prayers at the funeral home on Wednesday, April 3rd, at 9:30 a.m., followed by the 10:00 a.m. Burial Mass at St. Luke Church, 421 East 38th St., in Erie.
Jack was a U.S. Army veteran who served in Korea, and Germany as well as in the U.S. There will be military honors following the interment at Mary Queen of Peace Cemetery.