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John MAKER Obituary
87, peacefully passed away with family at his side, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015. He was born June 8, 1928 to Lewis Albert Maker and Ruth Maker in Taunton, MA. He spent his childhood in Massachusetts enjoying the waterfront and mastering the art of sailing at an early age. He attended Salisbury Preparatory school where he excelled in both academics and sports. He was captain of his hockey team and went on to become proficient at tennis. He attended Babson College, and Harvard University and served in the United States Army during the Korean War: His business career began with the Walworth Valve Company while living in South Weymouth, MA. ln 1962 he was offered a position with Honeywell Inc. which relocated Jack and his family to St Petersburg. Over the next 30 years he contributed to the success of NASA's Viking program, as well as navigation products for numerous military aircrafts including the B-52, F-15, and F-16 until his retirement from Honeywell. He loved spending summers at his "paradise" Westport Harbor, MA, a beautiful agricultural oceanside community at the Rhode lsland border where he enjoyed his fresh fish, lobster, sweet corn, and Johnny cakes. He was affectionately called "Captain Jack" by his friends and was passionate about the water. He loved sailing and enjoyed watching and talking sports, particularly football, hockey, and tennis. He loved working with his tools and was the consummate handyman - truly a "Jack" of all trades. Above all he loved and was extremely proud of his family and always said what a lucky man he was to have them all. He is pre-deceased by his wife, Jean, and his brother Tom. He is survived by his loving partner, Helga Gregg; her daughters Claudia Levecque (Mike) and Georgette Goldman; her four grandchildren; his brother, Bill Maker (Betsey); son, Bill Maker (Suzanne); his daughters, Susan Baker (Gary), Lisa Bailey, Ruth Magnetta (Jim); his eight grandchildren; and his five great-grandchildren. We will greatly miss you "Poppy", you were loving, caring, funny, witty and helped us all learn a lot about life! A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015 from 4 to 7 pm at the American Legion, 600 American Legion Dr., Madeira Beach, 33708
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Memories and Condolences
for John MAKER
Roger Cole
November 14, 2015
We will miss his wonderful smile and quick wit. Thoughts and best wishes to all of the family.Roger And Pat Cole
November 10, 2015
All the members of the
Sunshine State Chapter of the
KOREAN WAR VETERANS ASSOCIATION
wish to convey their condolences to the family of John Abbott "Jack" MAKER.
NOT ONE OF THEM IS FORGOTTEN BEFORE GOD.
WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM.
October 26, 2015
To all the family,
My sincere condolences. Al Roberts
Bob and Carolyn Spittle
October 23, 2015
Dearest Ruth and Family, Our warmest condolences on your loss. I believe he's now watching over you from the best seats in the world, and always will. So you now have your own Guardian Angel. We hope your lifelong memories with him will give you comfort when the sad times sneaknup on you. . Remembering the love he wrapped you in while he could physically here on earth will help ease you as he wraps his love and light around you with his spirit. For we truly believe he's forevermore with you. All Our Love, Bob and Carolyn Spittle and Family
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Debbie Kollias
October 23, 2015
Lisa and family, may time help heal your heart and lesson the pain. Prayers to all of you.
Jerry McCollum
October 22, 2015
Captain Jack & The Blue Falcon
I had been with Honeywell just over a year when I was transferred to the Viking program. My new boss was Jack Maker, a fast talker with a New England accent who I don't believe ever finished a complete thought or sentence before he launched into something else that was on his mind and you were expected to understand and keep up. The crazy thing about it was that after awhile you did understand and that would send you back to your desk wondering Just who's the crazy one here? Crazy or not we all really loved Jack, his energy, his stories and most of all his loyalty to those folks who worked with him. We all knew Jack was special, but for the life of us we couldn't seen to put our finger on what made him special we just accepted it and cherished it.
Now, at this point many of you may be asking what the heck does the title of this story have to do with the dang story. Well, for those of you who worked on the Viking program I probably don't need to explain, but for the uniformed let me enlighten you. Captain Jack & The Blue Falcon was the first and I believe the only true Honeywell super hero team.
Of course every one knew who Captain Jack was, but known only to a very few in the select inner circle, I fortunately was one of that select few, The Blue Falcon was really the mild mannered old fighter pilot from Rhode Island, Fred Dinger. Fred earned this distinctive title because of the very and I mean very old, beat up, rusted out, faded blue Ford Falcon he drove to work every day and parked in the same spot every day.
Even tough our workday stared a 0800 Fred was notorious for getting to work very early, I mean sometimes between 0530 or 0630. So, even if you showed up to work an hour early, Fred would hit you with one of his zinger like Did you bring in the afternoon paper? or the ultimate put down was Oh, you must have ridden in with Jack today.
The two's loyalty to each other and to the folks who worked with them was unpatrolled. If for some reason you found yourself in a brush up with someone they would rush to your side and defend you better than Clarence Darrel and Perry Mason combined.
I know this is a lot of hype and I don't mean to suggest these two guys didn't have a few shortcomings. Believe me in certain parts of the company they were called by many not so flattering names, the least of which was Mork and Mindy.
Let me share just one of my Captain Jack stories, I sure many of you have a stories of your own.
One Monday as we were getting ready to have our morning rundown meeting I was telling the group that over the weekend I had taken my family to Disney World. Jack quickly jumped right in and told us all about his trip to Disney World: the great rides, the super food, how little the tickets cost, and the really short waiting lines.
When he was done Fred asked me So, what do you think?
Fred I think I must have gone to the wrong park
Jack never let a few facts get in the way of a good story.
Not long ago we lost Fred and now we have lost Jack. To many of us when folks talk about super heroes' like Superman, Captain America or Batman and Robin we all know those guys fall way short of Captain Jack and The Blue Falcon.
Captain Thanks for the memories.
Ruth Magnetta
October 22, 2015
My father I will miss your love and your wisdom.
I know your in a better place now, but it won't stop the pain of missing you.love forever RIP Daddy.
October 21, 2015
My sincerest condolences to the Maker Family. May the God of all comfort (Psalms 83:18) help you during these difficult times.
Monica & Curtis Daniels
Monica Daniels
October 21, 2015
To my friend Lisa and the entire family of Captain Jack, my heart and prayers go out to you all. I know he will be missed but Nana is really happy to have her guy at her side once again. Healing and comfort blessings to come from our Heavenly Father in abundance, is my prayer that I have, and I will continue to send up!
Lisa Maker
October 21, 2015
Love and miss my Daddy'o so much.
JoAnn Stoy
October 21, 2015
My prayers go out to Bill, Suzanne and family. I pray our Lord brings you comfort and peace.
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