Too many stories to share
March 29, 2020
by Kevin Byrne
I have far too many stories to share.
Instead, I thought it may be simpler to just jot down a relatively small list of examples how Jack helped me and the people I care about:
* Jack volunteered for years to support one of the largest community events in Brewster, formerly known as Brewster Founders Day.
* Jack volunteered, tirelessly, for our military heroes; our active men and women in uniform as well as our volunteers. There are countless examples... That's one reason why he was designated as a honorary veteran by the Putnam County Joint Veterans Council.
* Jack volunteered for the Vietnam Traveling Wall in Putnam County, the Wall of Honor in Brewster, the Veterans' Home in Putnam County, as well as dozens of other nonprofits supporting our veterans.
* Jack held an annual 9/11 memorial service at his mobile home park. A ceremony I was blessed to participate in and play the bagpipes at for many years. Last year, he continued the tradition even though he could barely speak.
* Jack loaned my wife and me a car when my vehicle was in the shop for over a week... He never asked for any kind of compensation. He just wanted to help.
* When a mutual friend of ours, ran for U.S. Congress, Jack provided one of his mobile home units to help give volunteers a place to stay.
* On more occasions than I can count, Jack went out of his way to help charitable causes, both financially and as a volunteer, but I never once witnessed him asking for recognition.
* When I made the decision to run for public office myself, Jack was one of my very first supporters. There is no way I would be where I am without his friendship and support.
* After an awful car accident, the day after I received the nomination to run for public office, I was partially immobilized. Jack wouldn't let that get me down. He visited me at home and when push came to shove, Jack made sure I had a way to get out in the community and meet with people. He put his personal life on pause and literally drove me around the entire county for months.
* I can't tell you how many times I called on Jack for advice. At times, we're all forced to make some very difficult decisions in life. In these difficult times, many of us have a person to go to for guidance. Jack was always one of my most reliable sources for wisdom.
Again, this is just a small sample of some of the things I've witnessed from Jack. He was the kind of person who would literally give you the shirt of his back if you needed it.
As I try to wrap this up, all I can think of is that if the world was filled with more people like Jack Gress, the world would be much better off. R.I.P. Jack. We love you.
-KB
Instead, I thought it may be simpler to just jot down a relatively small list of examples how Jack helped me and the people I care about:
* Jack volunteered for years to support one of the largest community events in Brewster, formerly known as Brewster Founders Day.
* Jack volunteered, tirelessly, for our military heroes; our active men and women in uniform as well as our volunteers. There are countless examples... That's one reason why he was designated as a honorary veteran by the Putnam County Joint Veterans Council.
* Jack volunteered for the Vietnam Traveling Wall in Putnam County, the Wall of Honor in Brewster, the Veterans' Home in Putnam County, as well as dozens of other nonprofits supporting our veterans.
* Jack held an annual 9/11 memorial service at his mobile home park. A ceremony I was blessed to participate in and play the bagpipes at for many years. Last year, he continued the tradition even though he could barely speak.
* Jack loaned my wife and me a car when my vehicle was in the shop for over a week... He never asked for any kind of compensation. He just wanted to help.
* When a mutual friend of ours, ran for U.S. Congress, Jack provided one of his mobile home units to help give volunteers a place to stay.
* On more occasions than I can count, Jack went out of his way to help charitable causes, both financially and as a volunteer, but I never once witnessed him asking for recognition.
* When I made the decision to run for public office myself, Jack was one of my very first supporters. There is no way I would be where I am without his friendship and support.
* After an awful car accident, the day after I received the nomination to run for public office, I was partially immobilized. Jack wouldn't let that get me down. He visited me at home and when push came to shove, Jack made sure I had a way to get out in the community and meet with people. He put his personal life on pause and literally drove me around the entire county for months.
* I can't tell you how many times I called on Jack for advice. At times, we're all forced to make some very difficult decisions in life. In these difficult times, many of us have a person to go to for guidance. Jack was always one of my most reliable sources for wisdom.
Again, this is just a small sample of some of the things I've witnessed from Jack. He was the kind of person who would literally give you the shirt of his back if you needed it.
As I try to wrap this up, all I can think of is that if the world was filled with more people like Jack Gress, the world would be much better off. R.I.P. Jack. We love you.
-KB