Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Dear Marion and family,
I was so saddened to hear about Jack. I knew Jackie in a variety of capacities in life. He was my friend, we were band mates, we were both passionate about motorcycles and fast cars, he was a coworker with my father, and he was a patient of mine. In all my years practicing medicine, Jackie was the only patient who ever brought a musical instrument to a medical appointment! He was very proud of his Selmer saxophone indeed.
Jackie was resilient. Jackie and my father survived a caboose fire, which would have killed a mere mortal. Jackie survived a stroke that should have left him incapacitated, but through sheer determination he regained his ability to walk, and eventually was able to drive again.
Anyone who met Jackie quickly realized that he had the gift of the gab. He could converse with anyone at anytime, making them instantly feel comfortable. He had a one liner for every situation, and could make lite of even the most serious situations in life. I think he probably did sell refrigerators to Eskimo's!
It gives me solace to believe that Jackie is once again riding the rails with my Father. Their friendship, which was forged in fire, has been rekindled.
Barry Dick
