Jack Peter Janetatos

November 16, 1934 - March 29, 2022

Jack Peter Janetatos of Amherst, Virginia, died on March 29, 2022, of heart failure. He was born in New York, N.Y., on November 16, 1934, the son of Peter Janetatos, a Greek immigrant, and Estelle Grocki, the daughter of Polish immigrants.

He grew up in Connecticut and graduated from Plainfield High School in 1952. He then entered the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, and graduated in June of 1956. He spent five years at sea, first in the destroyer USS Power and then in the submarine USS Thornback. He left active duty in the Navy in 1961 and attended Georgetown Law School where he received the degrees of Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1964 and Master of Laws in 1966.

He began work as an associate attorney at the law firm of Baker & McKenzie in 1964 and was elected to partnership in the firm in 1968. He remained with the firm until his retirement in 1995 when he moved to a farm in Amherst to grow grapes and breed show horses. In addition to his work as a lawyer and farmer, in 1968 he took the position of Chairman of the Board of the Marine Machinery Association, the trade association for the manufacturers of the machinery used in Navy ships. He remained in that position until 2015 working with the manufacturers and the shipyards to maintain the quality of Navy shipboard machinery.

Jack's professional accomplishments speak for themselves, but his joy was found in captaining a sailboat in the islands, travelling to Italy and France to enjoy ancient culture, fine food and wine, and watching the sunset over the mountains from his back porch on the farm. Jack's passion, however, was cooking. He could prepare a meal for any occasion, from a full course dinner to homemade pizza in his brick oven. He never used a recipe book – Jack just knew what needed to be done to make it perfectly every time.

He is survived by his wife, Anna Marie Moore, a classical archaeologist, and three children, John Peter Janetatos (Theresa), Kathleen Mary Smith (Leroy), and Ann Louise Braun (David); stepdaughter, Lydia Schoeck (Brian); and nine grandchildren.

He will be inurned in a private ceremony on his farm on the banks of the Tye River.

Byrum Parr Funeral Home

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Published by Amherst New Era-Progress on Mar. 31, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Jack Janetatos

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9 Entries

DAVID BANNER

September 14, 2022

Belatedly learned of Jack´s passing. When I arrived on the submarine THORNBACK , spring `62, they were still talking about Jack. Met him when he took over the MMA and enjoyed his friendship. Great guy. Dave Banner, USNA´60..

Sherman (Bud) Alexander

April 4, 2022

Dear Anna, I am a classmate of Jack from the Naval Academy and submarine duty and have stayed in contact with him over the years. I have always admired him for his many accomplishments and his support of memorials for our departed classmates. I send my sincere condolences.

Jim Sandman

April 2, 2022

Dear Anna Marie, family and friends of Jack´s,
On behalf of the United States Submarine Veterans, we offer our sincere condolences at Jack´s passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are always saddened whenever a fellow "Bubblehead" departs on Eternal Patrol. He served with honor on the USS Thornback (SS-418).
To our "Brother-of-the-Phin" we say, "Sailor, rest your oar. We have the watch. Fair Winds and Following Seas." Thank you for your service to our country.
Anna Marie and family... "may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (ESV).
Jim Sandman, FTC(SS) Ret,
National Chaplain, USSVI.

Kate Gill Golden

April 1, 2022

My sympathies to his darling Anna and his children and grandchildren. I know he loves and cherished you all. Uncle Jack was such a happy, loving, jovial man. I looked forward to every time I got to see him. He knew how to live. My love to you all.

Bill Berger

March 31, 2022

So sorry to hear of Jack's passing. He was an incredible mentor when I started working with the Navy and opened doors to tremendous opportunities to me. He was a wonderful man and his contributions to the Navy are immeasurable. He reached beyond the professional level to introduce us to Anna when my daughter was considering colleges where she could continue to competitively ride horses. That meeting helped her with a tremendous college experience and to launch into a successful career.