Jack Park

Jack Park, 92, of Findlay, passed away Sunday, August 21, 2016 at the Bridge Hospice Care Center at Blanchard Valley Hospital. He was born August 2nd, 1924 to John and Helen (Hapeman) Park in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The family moved from White Haven in the Pocono Mountains to Findlay in 1936. Following his service in World War II, Jack married Colleen VanWormer of Findlay in a double wedding held on Easter Sunday 1948 and shared with Colleen's cousin Bill Phillips and Anna Rose Ward at the Howard Methodist Church. Preceded in death by Colleen in 2014 and by his son Danny in 1960, Jack is survived by his son Jerry. As an ambulance driver and chauffeur for the U.S. Fifth Army, Jack served in the North African and Italian campaigns, then entered Japan with his occupation unit just following V-J Day. A happy, solid man always ready with a joke or song to share, Jack worked alongside his father John and thereafter some 35 years our region's explosives for the Atlas Powder Company of Wilmington, Delaware. He loved this job and after retirement helped manage Northern Ohio Explosives in nearby Forest. Jack enjoyed his working camaraderie with colleagues while driving countless loads of explosives to stone quarries and construction projects. Gathering for coffee and chatting with old friends at Bread Kneads was special for Jack, as was lunching with the gang at Southside Family Restaurant. Jack was a 60-year member of Masonic Lodge #224 of Findlay, and also a life member of Arlington's VFW Post 4510. He belonged to the Classes of 1943 and 1946 at Findlay High School. Jack's family wishes to express heartfelt thanks to the wonderful volunteers and staff of Bridge Hospice, and also to Tiffany Moore, a great friend and patient advocate so supportive during Jack and Colleen's final years. A memorial service for Jack will be held at Howard United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 27th with Pastor David To and Ms. Marianne Higley officiating. HUFFORD FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Manor Hill Rd, Findlay (419-422-1500) has been entrusted with the arrangements. A private burial will take place at Maple Grove Cemetery. Memorials in Jack's name may be made to Howard United Methodist Church or to Bridge Home Health & Hospice of Findlay.