John M. "Jack" Poole

John M. "Jack" Poole (b.1944), Chairman of shipping and logistics firm John A. Steer Co., was called to his eternal rest on Friday, December 18th, after a courageous 14-day struggle to survive complications from the COVID 19 virus.
Son of the late Frank M. Poole and Carolyn (Leidy) Poole. Brother of Deborah (Poole) Bracken and the late Ellen (Poole) Quinn. Jack was married to his beloved Anne (Pearce) Poole from 1969 until her untimely passing in 1991. He remarried in 2009 and is survived by his loving wife, MaryAnn ("Sissy") Ragg; daughters Elyse (Wackerman) and Natalie (Butler); step son and daughters Christina, Skip and Patricia (Greenawalt) Ragg; grandchildren James, Leo and Annie Wackerman, Mollie O'Dwyer, Parker, Lliam, Ella and Finn Greenawalt, and Britney June and Skipper Ragg; and sons in law Paul Butler, John Greenawalt and Daniel Wackerman.
Jack was raised in Philadelphia and Flourtown, PA, and attended St. Francis of Assisi Grade School, Hillcrest Jr. High, Springfield High School, West Chester University and Villanova University (MA, History). He was Assistant Head Master at the Mitchell School of Haverford, PA, before entering the family's maritime business at the urging of his father. As President of Steer, Jack oversaw the small firm's expansion from a single Philadelphia office to locations in New York, Philadelphia Airport, Baltimore, Norfolk and Miami. Throughout his fifty-plus-year career, Jack tirelessly served Steer's clients, industry colleagues and employees with great pride, grit, tireless determination and integrity. Among many other honors, Jack was named the Philadelphia Port's "Man of the Year" in 2001. He became Steer's Chairman in 2008, and continued work in the firm until his passing. His legacy of service at Steer endures.
Jack resided in Fort Washington, PA and Brigantine, NJ. He enjoyed both social and solitary pursuits, from family gatherings and golf, to history and gardening. He most enjoyed (and vigorously indulged in) life's simple pleasures. Jack had a larger-than-life personality-in equal parts witty, tough, kind, humble, loyal and generous. He was loved and will be missed beyond measure.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation at drlornabreen.org to support our front line medical workers.