Obituary of John Reynolds

REYNOLDS John C (Jack), 81, of Wanaque, NJ and Naples, FL, died on Friday, April 17, 2015. Beloved husband of 57 years to Theresa Reynolds (Terry). Devoted father of Thomas of Dallas, TX; Catherine Reynolds and her husband Paul Stevenson of Belle Mead, NJ; Maureen and her husband Scott Brener of Edina, MN; Patricia and her husband Christopher DePhillips of Wyckoff, NJ and Kevin and his wife Michelle of Windermere, FL. Loving grandfather of Meg, Timmy, Helen, Carly, Brian, Ellie, Michael, Jack, Nicholas, Connor, Zach, Maddie, and Zoe. He was predeceased by his son, a saint in heaven, Brian Patrick Reynolds and his granddaughter, also a saint in heaven, Kathleen Reynolds. Jack is also survived by his dear sister Patricia and her husband Robert Tobin of Arvada, CO. Born in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, NY, Jack graduated from St. Teresa's elementary school, The Jesuit high school Brooklyn Preparatory. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from St. John's University at night and his Master of Business Administration at the Stern School of New York University (also at night) and attended the advanced management program at Dartmouth College. He served with pride, honor and distinction in the armed forces of the United States of America in the Korean War. He was employed for 10 years by W R Grace and for many years by ITT, rising to the position of corporate vice president and division president. He and his beloved Terry lived in Panama and for over a decade in Puerto Rico where they raised their children in Jesuit and Josephite parochial schools. Jack had been a very involved Catholic layman wherever he resided for over 60 years. He most recently served as a member of the Finance Council at St. Elizabeth's parish in Wyckoff, NJ and was active at St. Peter's church in Naples, FL where he and Terry maintained their winter home. He was inducted into the Knights of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in 1977, the oldest lay religious order in the world. Jack and Terry had three private audiences with reigning Popes in appreciation of their contribution to Catholicism. During his lifetime, Jack was very active in promoting education - particularly Jesuit education. He was a trustee of the Colegio San Ignacio high school in Puerto Rico, one of the many founding trustees of Brooklyn Jesuit Prep, a Nativity school, in his old neighborhood of Brooklyn, which provides an education to poor disenfranchised children. He and his family also supported various Jesuit mission apostolates as well as the work of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood, NY. Jack was a Trustee Emeritus of St. Leo University, a Benedictine University in Florida, serving on the board as an active member beginning in 1990. St. Leo University is the fastest growing Catholic university in the United States. During the Ronald Reagan's presidential administration he served on numerous boards and commissions. Jack loved his family, his church, his country and the New York Giants. He attended football games for over 40 years with Terry, their children, grandchildren and friends. A wake will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2015 from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm at Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481, www.vpfh.com. Mass will be on Friday, April 24, 2015 at noon at St. Elizabeth's Parish RC Church, 700 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481, www.saintelizabeths.org The Burial will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 11am at Saint Charles Cemetery, 2015 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11735, http://www.ccbklyn.org/our-cemeteries/st-charles-resurrection-cemeteries/ In lieu of flowers, MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS are most welcome in Jack's name to BROOKLYN JESUIT PREP, 560 Sterling Place, Brooklyn New York 11238; attention Miss Pat Gauvey.