John Edward "Jack", "Papa ZZ" Hahn Jr.

John Edward "Jack", "Papa ZZ" Hahn Jr., of Dedham, died on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at the Stanley R. Tippett House in Needham. He was 88 years old. Born March 28, 1927 in Richmond Hill, NYC, he was the son of the late John & Anna (Chrastil) Hahn. He was the youngest of his siblings; George, Edward and Edna. Jack was raised in New York City until the age of thirteen when his father retired from the NYC police force and moved upstate to the small town of Mayfield. They built a house on the beautiful Great Sacandaga Lake in the foothills of the Adirondacks. He had a love of music at an early age. He initially played piano and then fell in love with the vibraphone, a type of xylophone. While most musicians played with two mallets, he learned to play with four. His parents were supportive of his love of music and sent him to the Boston Conservatory of Music to further his education. After graduating from the conservatory he married his high school sweetheart Grace Montanye. They stayed in Boston as Jack worked music gigs and earned his master's degree in music education. Together Grace and Jack settled in Dedham, MA with their two young children, Melodie Ann and John Edward Hahn III. Jack taught music education in various public schools throughout his life beginning in Chelmsford, then in Natick and finally in Watertown before retiring. He also had his own band which was hired to perform at weddings, bat mitzvahs, and private parties. His was the house band at Sydney Hill Country Club in Chestnut Hill, MA for over twenty years. Jack touched the lives of many students, showed them a love of music and helped them get scholarships to various colleges in order to pursue their careers in music. He was also a member and treasurer of NESBA (New England Scholastic Band Association) for many years. This organization ran marching band competitions and helped students perform with their instruments. Over the years, the high school marching bands and jazz bands Jack directed brought home numerous trophies and awards. After retiring from his career in education, Jack helped with the bookkeeping at Volante Farms, his daughter and son-in-law's family farm in Needham. He contributed a lot to the farm's success over the years. Recreationally, Jack loved his boat and the Great Sacandaga Lake where he grew up. He loved sailing, water skiing, and most of all his power boat. He also had a special affinity for dogs, German Shepherds in particular. He owned six dogs in his lifetime, his last dog being a black German Shepherd named Fantom. Jack also had a love for cars. He owned a wide variety of cars over his lifetime, from big Oldsmobiles to a Camaro Z28 (thus the nick-name "PaPa ZZ"), a Trans Am Firebird, and his beloved Infiniti. He loved to drive them all! His greatest joy was his grandchildren. He had six in total: David, Teresa, Steven, John, Joey and Justin. More recently he was able to enjoy his three great-grandchildren Ryan, William and Henry. He would always be there to love, support and just enjoy the time spent with his family. He made an undeniable positive impact on all he encountered, whether it be someone he knew well or just in passing. He was a great dad, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle to his whole family. He will be missed immensely but we are grateful for his presence in our lives for eighty-eight beautiful years. Husband of the late Grace (Montayne) Hanh, Jack was the loving father of Melodie A. and her husband Al Volante of Needham and John E. Hahn III of Peekskill NY. He was he cherished "Papa ZZ" of David, Teresa, Steven, John, Joey and Justin and GG Papa ZZ to his three great-grandchildren Ryan, William and Henry. A Funeral Service will be held in the Eaton Funeral Home. 1351 Highland Ave Needham on Tuesday, June 23rd at 10:00 AM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Monday from 4-7PM. Interment will take place at Brookdale Cemetery in Dedham. IN lieu of flowers donations in Jack's name may be made to the Stanley R. Tippett House, 920 South St. Needham MA 02492 or to the Fisher House Boston, PO Box 230, South Walpole MA 02071.