John Daniel "Jack" Speakman Jr.

John Daniel Speakman, Jr. ("Jack"), 76, of Fenwick Island, DE, formerly Hockessin, DE, passed away on Sunday, September 8, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Jack was born in Wilmington, DE on December 6, 1947; the son of the late Betty and John Speakman, Sr. He attended Corpus Christi school in Elsmere for 12 years, graduating in 1965. During his childhood he was a member of Boy Scout Troop 68 where his father served as scoutmaster. He was a proud graduate of Villanova University and loved to share his Wildcat pride with anyone who would listen.
After college, Jack proudly served in the Air National Guard for ten years, rising to the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
On February 6, 1971, he married his best friend and love of his life, Marie (Hurlock) at St. Matthew's Church. Together they built a loving home and created a lifetime of cherished memories. Their bond was the cornerstone of their family, and their love will forever stand as a shining example for their children and grandchildren. Jack was a loving, doting father who spent hours on the field coaching his son's little league team and, in the backyard, perfecting his daughter's shooting form on the basketball court.
Jack dedicated his entire career to Hurlock Roofing Company, where he was Vice President. He was also an active member of the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) of Delaware, becoming its president in 1987. For 30 years he represented Hurlock Roofing as a charter member, enjoying numerous convention trips and forming lifelong friendships with fellow members of the organization along the way.
Jack loved J&B Scotch, card tricks and lip syncing to Smokey Robinson. He belonged to St. John the Beloved parish and volunteered with their Athletic Association. When Marie became the cheerleading coach at Saint Mark's High School, he dove headfirst into the world of cheer.
He joined the Board of the Delaware Cheerleading Coaches Association and served as Treasurer for more than ten years. Alongside Marie, he organized an annual cheerleading competition at Saint Mark's for twenty years, raising funds for athletics. He was incredibly organized and seemed to have a master's degree in Excel spreadsheets.
Jack loved his beach house and sitting on the porch during a summer thunderstorm. He loved playing board games at the dining room table with his grandson, Tyler and he especially loved following the basketball careers of his daughter and now his granddaughter, Sophia. He now has permanent courtside seats as she begins her senior season.
Jack was deeply loved and respected by many. "SpeakDad" was simply one of those people who was just so easy to like.
He was preceded in death by his son, Gregory Vincent Speakman, his parents, Betty and John Speakman, his brothers, Stephen, Dennis (Randy) and Robert Speakman and his sister Christine (Tina) Speakman. He is survived by Marie, his beloved wife of 53 years; his son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Danette Speakman; his daughter and son-in-law, Valerie and Jeff Karch; grandchildren, Sophia and Tyler Karch; and his dog Rosie, who laid by his side until the end.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, September 17th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, Delaware. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following morning, Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 at 11:00AM at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE. Burial will immediately follow in Silverbrook Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the Speakman family requests memorial contributions be made in Jack's name to Saint Mark's High School Girls' Basketball, 2501 Pike Creek Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of John Daniel "Jack" Speakman, Jr., please visit our floral store.