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Jack Kaplan Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Jack Kaplan
Rockaway - 1959
September 29, 2008
Rockaway - 1959
September 29, 2008
Roackaway - 1959
September 29, 2008
Jack & I - 1951
September 29, 2008
Orchard Beach - 1946
Herb Stein
September 29, 2008
There is nobody who knew Jack as long as I have. I know this sounds like a claim to fame ... and it is ... to be sure … because to have known Jack was an honor and a privilege.
We first met back in 1946 (perhaps 1945) when somehow we were teammates on a basketball team. About 2 years later Jack signed up for the US Army and found himself in Japan playing football. We maintained our friendship back then via the mail and it continued when he returned to the USA.
We double dated with Jack and Elaine ... attended each others wedding (only a few months apart) ... and were close friends and neighbors during the early 50's in Jackson Heights, Queens … we even shared a bungalow in Rockaway one summer. During our entire relationship Jack was always there whenever needed ... and what was unique, he didn't just do a favor ... he did it with a smile ... as if you were doing him a favor allowing him to help out.
Florence and I live in Florida these days but we have never made a trip back to New York without seeing "The Kaplans". We don’t do much travelling these days so we use this page to offer our condolences to his beloved family. Jack was a true and loyal friend … a devoted grandfather, father and husband … he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Jack and I were good handball and later on paddleball partners ... and played weekly in the old days ... and who knows ... maybe we will be playing again some day.
I have attached a few old photos.
“Herk” and Florence Stein
Lindsay Goldberg
September 11, 2008
Grandpa,
I love you so much. I can't even express how much I miss you. I think about you everyday. You are one of the most amazing people that I have ever come into contact with.
There was never a dull moment when you were around and no matter how you felt you had a smile on your face. You were so proud of all of us, you came to every graduation, dance recitals, sporting events, you never missed it. I will never forget all the great memories I have of you, they will truly be with me forever.
I know you are keeping and eye out on all of us, but everyday I wish that you were still here.
Your memory will live on forever and you will always have a piece of my heart.
I love you so much and you will always be in my heart.
Love always and forever.
Your grand daughter,
Lindsay
Ron Kaplan
September 9, 2008
Some memories I would like to share about my dad
1. Teaching me to play baseball at the alley in Queens
2. Going to the flea market and watching him play paddleball and playing me lefty afterwards
3. Spending time together at the Catskills and Disney
4. Going to work together during my summer jobs in NYC and letting me use the shipping computer
5. Our day trips to Action Park
6. Teaching me to drive a stick shift and letting me keep my license after scratching the car at the lincoln tunnel.
7. Helping me move at least 6 times in college
8. Going to watch Trenton State basketball team in Trenton and Jersey City during winter break
9. Spending hours putting together Heathers crib
10. Cutting up carpet, painting and wall papering through all hours of the night at our new house.
There are many, many more and I will always be thinking of you.
Terri Grabiner
September 6, 2008
Uncle Jack,
As always I think about you all the time. I have such wonderful memories of our times together. I want you to know how much you are missed and how much I love you. Don't worry we are all taking care of Tante. We try to be together as often as possible. We are blessed having such a close family. I hope you are with my mom and dad, bubbie and grandpa. That thought gives me peace. I know you will take good care of each other.
Love you always, Terri
Love you forever.
Melissa Reitman
September 6, 2008
Grandpa you were the best grandpa ever.
You were not just a grandfather to me but a best friend.
When I was younger you were always there to play,
You were even there to fix any problem in my way.
You made me a bench to reach the light in the bathroom,
You even did emergency surgery on my stuffed-dog Penny's neck too.
You were always just a phone call away and for that I thank you.
You came to every dance recital of mine
And every softball game too.
You were always there to cheer me on.
You even came to pitching lessons to see how I became a star.
You loved coming to watch me play, I know you could've stayed for hours.
I loved having you there because you were so proud of me,
Even if I had an off day you were always there to hug me and tell me it was okay.
When my softball days were over you never forgot,
You always reminisced and reminded me of my glory days out on that mound.
When I went off to school and was so homesick,
You were always on the other end of the phone with grandma making sure I was okay.
You were always there for me and I love you for that.
The greatest treat by far was everyday together over summer vacations and school breaks.
Spending time with you and grandma really was a treat.
Grandpa you always believed in me and I loved my time spent with you.
You were such a great guy and everybody knew it.
That is why it is so hard to say goodbye to you.
I love you grandpa and you will truly be missed.
Your memory will never be forgotten because you will always be alive in my heart.
I love you grandpa and I miss you so much.
Brooke Grabiner
August 27, 2008
Dear Uncle Jack,
Having you a part of my life meant more than words can express. You were like a Grandfather to me, and always made me feel very special. I will always love you forever and remember the wonderful memories we have shared.
Love Always,
Brooke
Jessica Grabiner
August 27, 2008
Dear Uncle Jack,
I will always remember your smile and the way you opened your arms for a hug whenever you saw me. Thank you for supporting me, encouraging me, and being there for every important event in my life. I love you.
Virginia Cheng Stabiner
August 26, 2008
Dear Uncle Jack,
Thank you for always making me feel like I was a part of your family, long before it was official. You always welcomed me with open arms and a smile on your face. Anyone could see how much you cherished and adored your wife, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and I felt so lucky to be included in that group. Your quirky sense of humor always made me laugh and I loved your sweet and gentle nature. Josh and I feel so blessed that you were there to say the motzie at our wedding, and we can only hope that our marriage will be as filled with love and happiness as yours was with Tante. We love you and miss you very much.
Joshua Stabiner
August 26, 2008
My uncle was the quintessential family man. Nothing was more important to him than spending time with his wife and all of his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was always so proud of everyone, and he wore his pride in his smile every day. He was always smiling.
At every family function going forward I will feel a sense of loss because he will not be there. The only comfort is knowing that I feel this loss because his life touched me in so many ways. He was one of the sweetest and most genuine people I will ever know. There is no way to express how much I miss him; I find myself thinking about him all the time. My life is forever enriched because he loved me and I will hold him in my heart forever.
Scott Goldberg
August 26, 2008
I do not see death as the end and do not think we should feel that someone like Jack has left us. He may have left us through physical form, but his spirit and soul is still with us. We are not sure of what is beyond our lifetime on this planet... His passing needs grieving and that is what everyone is going through, in their own ways... I hope that someday everyone will be able to love one another and look past our differences, whether we are white, black, Muslim, Jewish, short, tall and understand that everyone is human and has a place on this earth. Jack was a great man who always helped out and always was a man of his word. He always put everyone else before him and even though we cannot speak to him anymore, he still is alive within us. Let's try harder to love more, to be a better person, to be more healthy, to understand that life is very important and that we need to not take life so seriously. Have fun. Laugh. Enjoy life. Be with people who love one another. Be yourself and do not conform to anyone's ideas. Jack was one of a kind and was not like anyone else. He was a giver and I never knew or saw him as being selfish. We need more people like Jack in the world. My prayers go out to everyone in grief.
Also, wanted to add that you only have one life, so move forward with what you do best and keep on working to your lifelong goals, whatever they may be.
Jordan Goldberg
August 25, 2008
I remember being younger and sleeping over and hanging out with my grandfather, watching the Yankees play ball, just playing around. He and grandma used to try to tickle my feet to make me laugh. We used to wake up and eat rice crispies or frosted flakes before he went to work. As I got older he would play basketball or go swimming at my parent’s house when it got warmer. I can recall all the times I worked with him at G. Wrublin. He taught me everything I know about packing boxes. He was the original package master.
Going to Louies was always fun. We would eat breakfast or lunch and talk. I did that with them any time that I had to wait in between work stops. That was at least once every two weeks. Now that grandpa isn’t here, Louies will have to go out of business. Who else is going to drink all of that veggie soup and eat all that jello?
What more can I say, my grandfather was a wonderful man. He always steered me in the right direction with his advice. He always told me that he believed in me. For that, I can never repay him. The only thing that I would tell him is how much I appreciated, admired, and loved him. I know that he hears us as we wish him a safe journey into the heavens above. I would to ask him to watch over our family and bless us the way he did when he was still with us. Having him in our lives was always a blessing.
Grandpa I love you
Lisa Stabiner
August 25, 2008
I don’t remember our first meeting, but it must have been about 30 years ago when I was a little girl. What I do remember is I instantly had an ‘Uncle Jack,’ and felt lucky to have a newfound uncle/grandfather figure to look up to. Over the years I have been so privileged to have this exceptionally kind, smiling, generous and thoughtful man consistently present in my life. I will always consider myself fortunate for the unconditional love, warmth, and great family times we shared together. I love you and miss you very much, and will keep you close to my heart.
Lloyd Stabiner
August 24, 2008
When I first met Jack we discovered a mutual love for paddleball. It didn’t take long before we had a singles match to test each others abilities and soon thereafter we were playing on the weekends or Kutschers beating all of the local competition. Jack’s love of sport extended to his family, as well. Teaching his family and extended families equally the rudiments of baseball, tennis or literally any other sport.
I soon discovered that Jack was also Mr. Fixit. It did not matter if the work were electrical, plumbing, or carpentry. All you had to do was ask for his help and he was there for you.
But, it was with his family that he really excelled. Jack became the titular head of the family at an early stage of our children’s lives. He took on the role of grandfather to our children without being asked. He attended little league games, graduations without fail. And, of course, committed himself to learning ten Hebrew words so he could say the “motzie” at various family functions.
I remember my wife first telling me about her uncle Jack, that he was generous, a family man, talented at sports, etc. In short, someone to admire and to emulate.
That was all true in fact, he enriched the lives of all who knew him.
We all love you and miss you,
Steve Grabiner
August 21, 2008
Jack I will always love and miss you. The ten years that we worked together at G Wrublin was a great experience for me. We also enjoyed our times together outside of work talking and participating in sports. I was also pleased that you were always around with Tante for Jess, Brooke, and Terri. This is what true family is all about. Thank you for always being there for us. I will always remember you as a wonderful person. With love always. Steve
Alice Stabiner
August 21, 2008
Sweet, unassuming, easy-going, kind, loving, hardworking, helpful, and oh so caring--these are just a few words that i could use to describe my "Uncle Jack!"
i remember so clearly how he was always available with hammer and nail to help fix anything--hang a picture or chandelier or wallpaper whatever you needed. He was the ultimate handy man.
Uncle Jack was athletic. He loved all sports and would avidly watch, especially the Yankees. He played softball and was a paddleball champion. He often told me of the days he would play stickball on the street in the Bronx. They were fun times for him.
He was a real family man. Nothing was more important to him. He loved my Aunt Elaine for more than 60 years. Their marriage was a role model for us all. His children were the most special to him and his grandchildren were the apple of his eye. When they entered a room--his eyes would light up! He never missed a sporting event from Ronnie's marathons and triathlons, the grandkids softball, soccer, baseball and basketball games to their special graduations from elementary school to college. I can remember him sitting in the stands at Dartmouth watching Josh graduate with a huge sense of pride and joy.
He was always smiling with a special glint in his eye that always made you think that he had done something mischievous and got away with it.
But most importantly for the Stabiners and Grabiners was the fact that he treated us like his kids and grandkids. Since our parents passed away, Terri and i always knew that we could depend on our "Uncle Jack". He was just a call away. Josh, Lisa, Jessica, Brooke and now Virginia always knew that "Uncle Jack" would be there to attend their special events and fill in as surrogate grand dad. He was a very special person who took pride in their accomplishments. Not a day went by where he didn't ask about them or enjoy hearing about their exploits and their successes.
We have to thank him forever for always including us in his life. I know the fond memories we have will keep his spirit alive forever in our hearts.
We miss him already and we will always love him.
With enduring love,
Ross Reitman
August 16, 2008
Pop Jack,
I will never forget that no matter where we were or what we were doing you were always the happiest person around. Be it at Louies, the movies, the Bergen Mall, the car on our trips together, or any of the family gatherings, there was always a big smile on your face. You are the best grandpa a grandson could ever dream of having and I will love you always.
Love,
Ross
Susan Goldberg
August 13, 2008
Dear Dad
A Dad is a person
who is loving and kind,
And often he knows
what you have on your mind.
He is someone who listens,
suggests and defends.
A Dad can be one
of your very best friends!
He is proud of your triumphs,
but when things go wrong,
A dad can be patient
and helpful and strong
In all that you do,
a dad's love plays a part.
There is always a place for you
deep in my heart
And each year that passes,
I'm even more grateful and proud
just to call you my dad!
Thank you Dad
for always listening and caring
for giving and sharing
but, especially for just being you.
I will miss and love you always' I am proud to be your daughter
Harold Goldstein
August 13, 2008
Jack I’ll never forget you. We always got along well and I loved and respected you. I used to love playing ball with you all the time and I’ll never forget the great times we spent at the bungalows in Far Rockaway. The late nights sitting on the porch and talking, the walks on the boardwalk, Sally’s pizza, Jerry’s knishes and playing the arcade games.
I’ll always cherish the fond memories and great times we had together and you will be sorely missed by all, especially those who you used to whip at the paddleball courts. I remember when we used to play softball at the beach every Sunday morning and you were always picked before me, and also how we played the police in hardball, though they cheated us during the game. But who was going to argue with the cops?
I’ll always remember you and relish the fact that we never argued. You were more than my sister’s husband to me, you were like the brother I never had.
Love, Harold
Shari Goldstein
August 12, 2008
Uncle Jack, I'm going to miss you very much. You always had a wonderful sense of humor and always greeted everyone with a warm smile. I was so happy to visit with you and Aunt Elaine at the end of April. I enjoyed our time together and am thankful I was able to see you both so happy. Even though we've been far away in distance, you have never been far away in my heart.
Aunt Elaine, this is a poem I'd written awhile ago, and now I'm dedicating it to Uncle Jack. May he find peace.
"Seeds of Life"
Golden sun shines down upon us
Its heat warms deep through skin
Rays of light surround us
And brighten our souls within
Clouds appear on the horizon
And darken the once lit sky
Moisture fills their every pore
Then the angels start to cry
Droplets of rain fall freely
From heaven's waterfall
Seedlings take their nourishment
To replenish one and all
The earth gives back what it takes
In death, new life is formed
And from the ashes come the fruits
And from the fruits we're born.
Take care. I love you,
Shari
Audrey Goldstein
August 12, 2008
Elaine,
Hold tight to memories for comfort,
lean on your friends for strength,
and always remember how much you are cared about.
May the love of those around you help you through the days ahead.
Jack was a wonderful man and I will miss him dearly.
Love, Audrey
Alan Goldstein
August 12, 2008
Uncle Jack,
I was so upset to hear of your passing. I wish that I could have been there for the family. I will miss you terribly. I remember it was just ten years ago that you and Aunt Elaine came down to Florida to visit. You and I went to play paddleball. I had not played in years. Well, we beat everyone and we were told that we were just too good to play and should go to the other side to play with the better players. I just recently played against my brother in law and you would be proud, I beat him bad. I was telling him that my uncle was the best. I will always remember what a special and wonderful man you always were.
Sincerely,
Your nephew Alan
Robin, Alan & Stephanie Goldstein
August 12, 2008
We were so sorry to hear of Uncle Jack's passing. He was such a wonderful man. Always so kind and welcoming when I became part of the family. Please know that even though we couldn't physically be there that he was in our constant thoughts. He will be missed and always in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all that knew and loved him.
Terri, Steve Jessica & Brooke
August 10, 2008
We will miss you always Uncle Jack. Thank you for being the most wonderful uncle and friend. You will be in our hearts forever. You and Tante have been such an important part of our lives. You have always made us feel special and loved. We are so thankful and lucky to have such a close family. We will love you forever.
Penny Reitman
August 1, 2008
Here we stand paying tribute to the life of a wonderful man
A husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, son and friend to all
He knew how to enjoy life and have a ball
Into this world 79 years ago you did come
Your mother and father were so proud of their son
You were cute and smart and did all that you could
Like running through fires and jumping from rooftops in your neighborhood
But even though you were a spunky kid and drove your parents crazy
You were great at every sport you played, you certainly were not lazy
But years had passed and you matured very well
So you decided in the army you should dwell
You were sent overseas and that was not so keen
Traveling by boat sure made you green
But after a few years in the army you did serve
You came home to wed Elaine before losing your nerve
You two were so happy and had so much fun
So you decided to have child number one
If was a girl and you named her Sue
She was so wonderful you couldn't wait to have child number two
You named her Penny, what on earth did you do?
I guess you didn't care because she looked so much like you
You certainly were the best dad and gave us everything we seeked
Like a puppy we called Poochie and a new Beetle album every week
But the best surprise of them all
Was a little brother Ronnie we did call
You finally got the boy who would take after you
But then again...no one could every match what you could do
Living in Jackson Heights was really a blast
Vacations in Rockaway we're sorry they did pass
You decided after many years to New Jersey you should go
Now you had a home where you could use everything you know
You could fix leaky pipes and hang paper on the wall
You even became an experienced shopper at the mall
When your girls got married and Ron moved out
You were always over with your tools tinkering about
There was always something to be fixed in your family's home
You always came in a jiffy and never moaned
Not only were you handy and could accomplish anything by far
How many times did we hear the phrase........
But I was an ATHLETE...and the greatest paddleball star
You always worked so hard and that kepy you busy
But you always found time to make you grandchildren dizzy
They loved it so much when you would come over to play
When they got punished you too had to be locked away
I can go on and on what a special man you were to us
Being with your family in your golden years was always a must
When your children got married you were happy as can be
Now you had Robert, Mark and Stacey as part of your family
From them you got your grandchildren Jordan and his girlfriend Holly, Scott, Ross, Lindsay, Melissa, Heather and Steven and your grandpuppies Zoe and Charlotte
You enjoyed going to family parties and many many movies
Lets not forget Sushi and every Sunday at Louie's
When you retired from paddleball because of your pains and aches
Off to the High School and all-star Softball games you did make
Even being with your children, grandchildren and wife was not enough
You needed ALice, Lloyd, Terri, Steve, Lisa, Josh, Jessica, Brooke, and Virginia to complete the right stuff
All these memories we have of you will forever be cherished
You will always be number one in our eyes and that will never vanish
You were not only my dad but my best friend. I miss you terribly.
Forever in my heart.
Heather Kaplan
July 31, 2008
We love you Grandpa Jack.
I'll always remember how I saved you from getting a ticket from the police, because I was crying.
We'll never forget you! ?
Heather and Steven
Ron Kaplan
July 29, 2008
The most, generous and loving man ever to be put on this earth. I have 2 young children. If I could be 1/2 the father to my children then Jack(my dad) was to his kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews I would be ahead of 99% of normal men. I will always be thinking of you and will make sure your memories stay alive for future generations.
Melissa Reitman
July 28, 2008
I will miss you so much grandpa. You were the best. You will always be in my heart. I love you. <3
Love,
Melissa
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