It is with profound sadness that we share with you that John "Jack" Waitz died on February 2, 2017. He joins his beloved wife, Betty, who passed away on April 22, 2016.
Jack grew up in Philadelphia, PA. He was the son of Elmer Waitz and Anna Young Waitz, and he was the youngest of six children. His siblings are: Dorothy (Dot); Virginia (Ginny); Grace; Robert (Bob); and Elmer. Grace Contento, who lives in Virginia, is the only surviving sibling.
Jack left high school to enter the US Navy and serve in World War II. After military service, he returned home to work as an auto mechanic. While working at Reach Motors, he met and married the love of his life, Betty Walters, in May 1949. He then became a Philadelphia Fire Fighter, and worked two jobs to support his family. He and Betty had four children -- Donna, Jack, Bob, and Kevin - born between 1954 and 1961. He was promoted to a Fire Department Lieutenant and later to a Fire Department Captain before falling three stories through a tarred-over row home roof skylight, causing several fractured vertebrae, and ending the firefighting career that he loved. In his retirement years, he lived with his wife in Feasterville - Trevose.
Jack was fun, and he loved to laugh; he was often referred to as "Smiling Jack". He was a self-taught "Jack of all trades," spending his time building furniture, fixing cars, repairing appliances, completing income taxes, and tending a vegetable garden. He loved his family get-togethers, and he was fortunate to have seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
There will be a memorial service for Jack and Betty in the spring; the date is still to be determined. Please also look at the remembrance for Betty at http://kirkandnicesuburban.com/book-of-memories/2485218/Betty-Waitz/obituary.php