Obituary for John H. "Jack" Ianire
Beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, friend, and neighbor, John (Jack) Ianire passed away peacefully on September 20, 2023, in Newark, Delaware.
Jack was born on May 23, 1949, to John and Isabelle Ianire. A native Delawarean, Jack grew up in Elsmere, Delaware and graduated from Conrad High School in 1967. While attending Conrad, Jack wrestled and played football, but most importantly met the love of his life –his loving wife, Donna Nastasee. Jack married Donna in November of 1973 and they built a wonderful life together in Pike Creek. In youth, Jack was a volunteer with the Elsmere Fire Company and a member of the Delaware Air National Guard as a fireman.
Jack started his career with Westinghouse Electric in Wilmington. During his time there, Jack worked a number of jobs in the sales department before developing an interest and affinity for fiber optic cable. Through this interest, Jack learned he had a talent for teaching and speaking to groups – first training juvenile offenders in the prison system and later teaching classes for Dale Carnegie where he was an instructor for several years. After leaving Westinghouse, Jack began working for Fiber Optics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, ultimately becoming an instructor with the Fiber School after he retired. Jack was a beloved mentor to his co-workers and students alike.
Jack was very civic minded. A lifelong Republican, Jack volunteered on every campaign for Senator Bill Roth from 1976-2000. Jack helped wherever he could – whether assisting Donna with mailings, door to door visits, or polling. Jack coached CYO wrestling for St. John the Beloved. In his limited free time, Jack loved to build furniture, garden, cook Italian food, read and golf. His accomplishments in these fields are too many and varied to mention.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents John and Isabelle. He is survived by this loving wife, Donna; his sister, Kathy Frantz; his brother Dennis Ianire; his sister-in-law Angela (Michael) Carder; his nieces Jennifer (Andy) Ford; Cara(Jesus) Roberts, and Jack Roberts, his namesake, Anna Politharis (Alex); Leah Nastasee (Carlos)his nephews Greg Frantz(Shanna) and their children Lucas and Chloe; Christopher Frantz (Glenda) and their children Cooper and Collette. And the many extended family and friends who affectionately referred to him as Uncle Jack.
To sum up Jacks life it would be with this little story. One day all the kids were playing on the front lawn and they realized they needed an adult for whatever they were doing. And one of them piped up and said, “I know, let’s ask Uncle Jack, he’s almost an adult.” That was Jack --always ready to play and be a big kid himself.”
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Celebration of Life Service for Jack at Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, 1400 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilm., DE 19805, on Friday, September 29 at 3:00pm. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2:00pm-3:00pm. Interment will take place privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting contributions be made to PAWS for People, P.O. Box 9955, Newark, DE 19711.
Jack was born on May 23, 1949, to John and Isabelle Ianire. A native Delawarean, Jack grew up in Elsmere, Delaware and graduated from Conrad High School in 1967. While attending Conrad, Jack wrestled and played football, but most importantly met the love of his life –his loving wife, Donna Nastasee. Jack married Donna in November of 1973 and they built a wonderful life together in Pike Creek. In youth, Jack was a volunteer with the Elsmere Fire Company and a member of the Delaware Air National Guard as a fireman.
Jack started his career with Westinghouse Electric in Wilmington. During his time there, Jack worked a number of jobs in the sales department before developing an interest and affinity for fiber optic cable. Through this interest, Jack learned he had a talent for teaching and speaking to groups – first training juvenile offenders in the prison system and later teaching classes for Dale Carnegie where he was an instructor for several years. After leaving Westinghouse, Jack began working for Fiber Optics in Allentown, Pennsylvania, ultimately becoming an instructor with the Fiber School after he retired. Jack was a beloved mentor to his co-workers and students alike.
Jack was very civic minded. A lifelong Republican, Jack volunteered on every campaign for Senator Bill Roth from 1976-2000. Jack helped wherever he could – whether assisting Donna with mailings, door to door visits, or polling. Jack coached CYO wrestling for St. John the Beloved. In his limited free time, Jack loved to build furniture, garden, cook Italian food, read and golf. His accomplishments in these fields are too many and varied to mention.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents John and Isabelle. He is survived by this loving wife, Donna; his sister, Kathy Frantz; his brother Dennis Ianire; his sister-in-law Angela (Michael) Carder; his nieces Jennifer (Andy) Ford; Cara(Jesus) Roberts, and Jack Roberts, his namesake, Anna Politharis (Alex); Leah Nastasee (Carlos)his nephews Greg Frantz(Shanna) and their children Lucas and Chloe; Christopher Frantz (Glenda) and their children Cooper and Collette. And the many extended family and friends who affectionately referred to him as Uncle Jack.
To sum up Jacks life it would be with this little story. One day all the kids were playing on the front lawn and they realized they needed an adult for whatever they were doing. And one of them piped up and said, “I know, let’s ask Uncle Jack, he’s almost an adult.” That was Jack --always ready to play and be a big kid himself.”
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Celebration of Life Service for Jack at Krienen-Griffith Funeral Home, 1400 Kirkwood Hwy., Wilm., DE 19805, on Friday, September 29 at 3:00pm. Friends may call at the funeral home from 2:00pm-3:00pm. Interment will take place privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting contributions be made to PAWS for People, P.O. Box 9955, Newark, DE 19711.