John J. "Jack" Wilson

John J. "Jack" Wilson, 82, of Midland, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 4, 2011, at his home, with family by his side.

He was born Aug. 31, 1928, in St. Joseph, Mo., son of the late Robert J. and Mary C. (Cavanaugh) Wilson. He graduated from St. Benedict's College, Atchison, Kan., in 1950, and served in the Army Chemical Corps at Dugway Proving Ground, Utah from 1950-52. On April 14, 1952 he married Rosemary Byrne in St. Joseph, Mo. Jack joined the Dow Corning Corp. in 1952 and enjoyed a 32-year career, mostly in sales and marketing, serving in Buffalo, N.Y., and Cleveland, Ohio from 1953 to 1962. He returned to Midland in 1962 with the silicone rubber business and in 1964 was named manager of the new silicone rubber manufacturing plant in Trumbull, Conn. It was during this time that Jack attended an executive management program at Harvard University.

Jack and his family returned to Midland in 1967 where he served in sales administration and later was named national sales manager in the silicone rubber business. Jack retired in 1983, and joined Quantum Composites, ultimately serving as president until 1992. After retiring from Quantum, Jack served for several years on the board of the Neighborhood Clinic which was organized to assist low income people to obtain health insurance. He enjoyed volunteering as a mentor in the Midland County Volunteers in Probation Program.

Jack had a passion for tennis and enjoyed playing at the Midland Community Tennis Center in leagues and tournaments, at family vacations and any other time or place a game might be suggested. In 1994 his senior league team made it to the National Championship in Tucson, Arizona. Playing tennis with dad was always a must-do activity for out of town family members whenever they were home for a visit.

Jack will be missed by his wife of fifty-eight years, Rosemary; his children, Mary A. (Barry) Pehrsson of Saugerties, N.Y., Janet Wilson of Wilmington, Del., Sally (Jerry) Wasserman of Midland, John (Sally) Wilson of Midland, Teresa (Mike) Hegarty of Denver, Colo., and Stephen (Lora) Wilson of Andover, Mass.; grandchildren, Andrew Lang, Katherine Lang, Donald (Sarah) Wasserman, Gregory Wasserman, Cara Wasserman, Sarah Wilson, Emily Wilson, Kelly Wilson, Johnny Wilson, Jennifer Hegarty, Amy Hegarty, Annabelle Wilson, and Samuel Wilson. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert J. Wilson.

Jack's family would like to express their thanks and love to Denise Heckman and Tom Dunbar, special caregivers from MidMichigan Home Care Private Duty, who have assisted Jack with professional and tender loving care for the past two years.

The funeral liturgy will be celebrated by Father Peter J. Gaspeny at 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 3109 Swede Avenue. Jack's family will receive friends at the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 W. Wheeler St., today, from 4-8 p.m., and at the church on Thursday from 10 a.m. until the time of mass. Vigil for the deceased will take place at 7 p.m. this evening at the funeral home. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Alzheimer's Association, or Blessed Sacrament Church.