Jack Stanley Jarvis

Jack Jarvis, 80, lover of life, left us on Saturday, March 8, 2008. He was born May 17, 1927, in New York City, N.Y.

He was a veteran and proudly served his country as a Navy Seabee. After his tour of service, he returned to New York to pursue the girl of his dreams, Rita Spivack. They remained faithfully married for over 50 years.

He worked in Valley Stream, N.Y., in the welding business until he moved his family to Cape Coral in the early 1960s. Once in Florida, he learned the building construction trade, earned his residential contractor’s license and succeeded through the hard work and self-reliance that characterized his life. Upon retirement, he and his wife relocated to the Boca Raton/Delray Beach area, where they enjoyed many years together with old and new friends.

After the passing of his beloved wife in 2002, he struggled, but with the determination which marked his life, he defied the odds and found purpose in his new life. He moved to Vero Beach, Fla., in April 2005 and lived in Vista Plantation, where he was surrounded by loving neighbors and new friends.

He is survived by his sons, Bill Jarvis (Michele) of Vero Beach, Fla., and Mark Jarvis (Liz) of Fairfield, Ohio. He was also a proud grandparent of Jessica Jarvis of Vero Beach, Fla., and Matt Jarvis of Dayton, Ohio.

He was a real character, with a great sense of humor, and he will be missed by many whose lives he touched, and especially by those who loved him. We pray that he will find his way in his new adventure and that the love of God is with him.

He will be laid to rest in Cape Coral in a private family service. The family would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the many people in the medical profession who cared for him, including Garrick Kantzler and staff, Robert Tobar and staff, Healthsouth Rehabilitation Hospital staff, Royal Palm Convalescent Centers staff and the “angels” at VNA Hospice who are wonderful beyond words.