John Arthur "Jack" Schwencke Obituary May 2012JOHN ARTHUR SCHWENCKE
Family- Placed Obituary
JOHN ARTHUR SCHWENCKE "Jack" John Arthur Schwencke "Jack ", age 95, of North Palm Beach, FL passed away on May 9,
2012 in Tampa, FL. He was born in Brooklyn, NY to parents John William and Margaret Theresa Schwencke. Jack was
predeceased in 1994 by his loving wife, Enid, who he was married to for 52 years. He was also predeceased by a son, Kerry; a
daughter, Karen DeJong; twin brothers, Herb and George Schwencke and a sister, Marie Gassler. He is survived by a daughter,
Christine Sams (Bob) of Asheville, NC; son, Kim of Temple Terrace, FL, and 13 grandhildren ... Greg, Scott and Lisa (Sams), Laura,
Kate, John Taylor, Ryan, Brett, Matthew, John Edward and Ken ( Schwencke), Melissa and Patric (DeJong); He also saw six great -
grandchildren born, Amelia and Charlotte Weenig, Mirren and Brett Schwencke, and Kara and Blake Sams. He also leaves behind
a brother -in -law, John (Bud) Gassler of Dade City, FL; a sister -in -law, Sarah Schwencke of Orlando, FL and cherished son and
daughters -in -law, Ekkie DeJong of Palm Beach Gardens, Marci Weldon of Boca Raton and Paula Todd of Bend, OR along with
numerous neices and nephews. Jack was educated at Brooklyn Prep School and New York University. He entered the banking
business with BONY in New York City. He then was inducted into the US Army in 1942 as a private attaining the rank of chief
warrant officer and honorably discharged in 1946. He was awarded two bronze stars for Northern France and the Rhineland. He
served in the European Theatre and swore "to never freeze his butt off again" moving to Florida immediately after being
discharged thereby starting a long and illustrious career in real estate. He entered business in Hollywood, FL as a real estate and
mortgage broker moving up to West Palm Beach after he met the Ross brothers. Together they developed over 5,000 homes in
the West Palm Beach area between 1950 and 1956. Again Jack moved North where he founded in 1956 and ultimately developed
over the next 20 years the Village of North Palm Beach with his partners, Bob and Dick Ross, and their brother -in -law, Jay White.
Anyone who did business with Jack knew his word was his bond and many a land deal was honored simply with a handshake. In
1959 he moved his wife and four children to the Anchorage Drive house where many a baseball and /or football game was played
in the large back yard where he pitched or quarterbacked for both sides. He coached Little League and in 1962 his team, North
Palm Beach Utilities had a perfect 24 -0 record and won the County championship. While in North Palm he was a city councilmen
sitting on the first council with then manager Albin R. Olsen. Over the next two decades he was president of North Palm Beach
Properties and the managing partner of Northlake Properties and Lake Park Development. He operated and later sold North Palm
Beach Country Club and North Palm Beach Utilities. He also developed many commercial and industrial properties in Northern
Palm Beach County along with the Gemini and Aquarius condominiums. Many knew Jack in his later years as a master bridge
player rekindling his interest in the game after his children left for college. He amassed over 12,000 master points in a game where
only 300 make you a Life Master. He was a Grand Life Master with the ACBL and a World Master with the World Bridge
Federation. Some of his more notable achievements were winning the Florida National Open Pairs Championship (twice), winning
the Northeastern Reisinger Teams and he was also a finalist in the Vanderbilt Knockouts in St. Louis in 1986. In his lifetime, he
won more than 100 regional events, I dare you, Google him. When all is said and done, Jack was a decent man, a true gentleman,
an ethical business partner, a loving husband, a fabulous father, a fun uncle and a devoted grandfather. At one time he was asked
what were your greatest accomplishments in life? He said simply "That's easy ... Chris, Kim, Kerry and Karen ". The family would like
to thank Dr. Vrajesh Shah (Tampa) for his wonderful and compassionate care. Also the staff of Brighton Gardens (Tampa) for
making his last years comfortable and to caregiver Sandy Rivera for her love which was returned daily. To the Hospice team of
Flossie, Joy, Henrietta, Khan and Dunni, you guys are the best. A Funeral Service will be held at the Howard -Price Funeral Home,
754 US Hwy 1, North Palm Beach, FL 33408 on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 11:30 AM. Interment to follow, at Riverside Memorial
Park, 19351 S.E. County Line Rd., Tequesta, FL 33469. To express condolences and /or make donations Visit
Palm Beach Post.com /obituaries
Published in The Palm Beach Post from May 11 to May 18, 2012
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