John P. Schertzer Jr.

John P. “Jack” Schertzer Jr., 93, of West Dover, VT, talented artist, ardent sailor, passionate skier, and devoted husband, father, father-in-law, uncle, and grandfather, died Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the Milford Regional Medical Center. Beloved husband of Arlene H. (Savage) Schertzer, Jack was married to his wife for 67 long and happy years.

Jack was born in Flushing, NY, the son of the late John P. Schertzer and Mae Schertzer. He attended public schools in New York as a young boy and was a proud US Army veteran having served during the Korean War, where he was stationed in West Germany. Jack took advantage of the G.I. Bill to attend college, graduating from Hofstra University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration cum laude. 

Jack was first employed at the former Bell Telephone Company and then later at AT&T, where he worked in their financial investment department. He later worked for many years in the financial services industry for various companies in New York City, including eleven years at Nuveen. Jack also enjoyed teaching business classes at the State University of New York at Farmingdale.

Jack discovered his love of art during an early age and cultivated his talent for painting and sculpting, which turned into a life-long and successful avocation. He brushed peaceful seascapes and stormy lighthouses, evoked delicate depictions of nature, and composed gripping and colorful abstracts. Jack’s provocative artwork decorated the households of his family and friends for decades, as he produced an original and annual Christmas card that delighted so many. Jack’s artistic influences ranged from Van Gogh to Jackson Pollock. And his cultured interests went beyond the visual, as he enjoyed Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach as well as the swing jazz big bands of his youth. He was deeply inspired by these artistic greats, and he channeled this passion and grit into his paintings and sculptures.

Jack was a longtime resident of West Dover, VT, and prior to that, resided in East Northport, NY, where he and Arlene raised their two sons in a home where he enjoyed making home improvements, entertaining friends and family, and making the best steak on the grill. In the winters, Jack and Arlene would take the kids skiing in Vermont, and during their summers they all went sailing. A longtime member of the Centerport Yacht Club in Centerport NY, he served as proud Commodore, making ground breaking improvements and social awareness campaigns of inclusion.

Along with his beloved wife, Arlene, he is survived by his sons, Christopher and John; daughters-in-law, Ana and Kathleen; grandsons, Liam and Declan; nieces, Lynne and Carin; nephews, Glenn and Scott; and grand-nieces Monica, Taylor, and Alexandra. Jack was also the brother of the late William Schertzer and the grandfather of the late Michael Jorge Paulino Haver.

In accordance with his wishes, cremation will take place. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Edwards Memorial Funeral Home, 44 Congress Street, Milford MA on  Saturday (April 8th) from 10:00AM to 12 NOON.

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