John C. "Jack" Ackley

John "Jack" C. Ackley, age 88, passed away on January 23, 2026, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Deptford, where he had lived for more than 65 years.

Born and raised in Westville, Jack graduated from Woodbury High School, where he proudly served as Class President for the Senior Class of 1955. Shortly after graduation, he married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth "Betty" (Rink), and together they settled in Deptford to raise their family.

Jack dedicated 43 years to a distinguished career with the phone company. He began as a Lineman with Bell Telephone and advanced through roles as Installer and Repairman at New Jersey Bell before retiring as a Supervisor with Verizon/Lucent.

Jack loved camaraderie, and like a true Irishman, he had the gift of gab. He was an active member of many organizations, including the VFW Post #2174, American Legion Post #133, Army Navy Union Garrison #52, the Deptford Elks Lodge #2708, Paulsboro Moose Lodge, and the Villas Fishing Club. Jack loved playing shuffleboard and bingo with Betty (his #1 girl) at his favorite spots. He was also a skilled fisherman. Jack loved his time spent on the water, and he raised his kids knowing how to fish on his boat, the "Betty J." He loved taking his grandkids on golf cart rides at the Beachcomber, where he and Betty summered. Summers spent in Wildwood and Cape May were complemented by Winter vacations in the Poconos. Jack loved taking Betty and the kids to be with Betty's siblings and their families, and all the kids would "pile up" on Uncle Jack when they crashed at the bottom of a sledding hill. While Jack loved getting out and about, he also loved nothing more than staying in with his family. Watching the Eagles or the Phillies while "having cocktails" was a favorite family pastime.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, Charles "Chick" and Shirley; his grandson John "Jake" Gogstad III; his son-in-law John "Jake" Gogstad Jr; and his sister Gail Rebyak. Jack is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elizabeth "Betty" (Rink); children Theresa "Teri" Gogstad, John "Jack" (Kathy) Ackley, and Karen Skoruk; grandchildren Melissa (Brendan) Repkoe, John "Jack" (Stephanie) Ackley Jr., Steven (Felicia) Ackley, Gregory (Mamie) Skoruk, and Alexa "Lexi" Skoruk. Jack is also survived by his great grandchildren Sophie, Steven, Matthew, Gregory, and Joey, as well as by many nieces and nephews.

Friends may greet the family on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 9-11am in the Budd Funeral Home, 522 Salem Avenue, Woodbury, NJ. Funeral Service will be at 11am. Interment Hillcrest Memorial Park.