John L. Holden - Branch Funeral Homes

John L. Holden

I met Jack decades ago, when I joined the St Andrews Softball Club – and from the start, I could see that my Wednesday nights would be blocked out for the foreseeable future. I recall with pleasure sitting around those sticky tavern tables after softball and after volleyball, listening to the endless stream of wisecracks, jokes, and commentary on the world.

Jack’s delivery, as we know, was emphatic and passionate. Understatement and subtlety were not his concerns. Doctor jokes, ethnic jokes, Indian jokes — he was relentless! And when I mentioned to my pals at work of my Wednesday night social hours, they were envious — who else was entertained by an animated master of ceremonies, delivering a weekly deluge of sarcasm and hilarity?

Jack’s tenure with that exclusive club began in the late 60’s. He was still making merry until recently. It was 50+ years of intense fellowship, high-decible conversation, and meals that were long and loud at scores of restaurants in Queens and elsewhere. As George Steinbrenner said to the New York sportswriters about Reggie Jackson, “He was the straw that stirred the drink.”

It is tough to acknowledge his passing — but it is great to have experienced the times we had. He gave his many friends a master class in camaraderie and a vigorous boost of humor whenever we got together. Who could possibly forget him? May he rest in peace.

Kevin Morris says:

October 13, 2025 at 6:47 pm

I met Jack decades ago, when I joined the St Andrews Softball Club – and from the start, I could see that my Wednesday nights would be blocked out for the foreseeable future. I recall with pleasure sitting around those sticky tavern tables after softball and after volleyball, listening to the endless stream of wisecracks, jokes, and commentary on the world.

Jack’s delivery, as we know, was emphatic and passionate. Understatement and subtlety were not his concerns. Doctor jokes, ethnic jokes, Indian jokes — he was relentless! And when I mentioned to my pals at work of my Wednesday night social hours, they were envious — who else was entertained by an animated master of ceremonies, delivering a weekly deluge of sarcasm and hilarity?

Jack’s tenure with that exclusive club began in the late 60’s. He was still making merry until recently. It was 50+ years of intense fellowship, high-decible conversation, and meals that were long and loud at scores of restaurants in Queens and elsewhere. As George Steinbrenner said to the New York sportswriters about Reggie Jackson, “He was the straw that stirred the drink.”

It is tough to acknowledge his passing — but it is great to have experienced the times we had. He gave his many friends a master class in camaraderie and a vigorous boost of humor whenever we got together. Who could possibly forget him? May he rest in peace.