Mr. Jack Joseph Spatafora's Obituary
Mr. Jack J. Spatafora, age 91, passed away peacefully on October 28th, 2014.
Sadly, he was predeceased by his wife of 67 years, Dorothy, just one day earlier.
A Tribute to Jack and Dorothy Spatafora:
After 67 years of loving marriage, the earthly union of Jack and Dorothy Spatafora has come to an end. Dorothy Boneham Spatafora, 88 passed away on Monday October 27, 2014. Her beloved husband Jack Joseph Spatafora, 91 followed her the next day Tuesday October 28, 2014.
They are survived by their sons Joseph and Richard Spatafora, daughter Pamela Steadman and son-in-law Pat Steadman. They were preceded in death by their son Donald Spatafora. They have 4 loving grandsons, Jack and Christopher Spatafora and Adam and Tony Steadman. Dorothy is also survived by her sisters Mrs. Ethel Larson and Mrs. Betty Dietz. They also share many nieces and nephews.
Jack served during WWII as a 1st Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp. Dorothy was a member of the Boca Ciega Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Jack was a Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus.
Jack Joseph Spatafora was born in Chicago, Illinois to parents Joseph Jack Spatafora and Rose Valentino Spatafora both immigrants from Corleone, Sicily. Jack was the youngest of three children with two sisters Bessie Spatafora Spera and Lucille Spatafora DeLuca. Jack graduated from Loras College Academy (Iowa) in 1943. Jack entered the Army Air Corps after graduation from Loras serving as a 1st Lieutenant. He was a crew member instructor for the B17, B24 and B29 Bombers. He was Honorably Discharged after the conclusion of World War II.
Dorothy Boneham was born in Marinette, Wisconsin to parents LeRoy “Roy” Boneham and Florence Carwile Boneham. Dotty was their fifth child. Her older siblings were Carl Boneham, Vera Boneham Blaurock, Donald Boneham and Lois Boneham Presti. When Dorothy was five years old her father passed away. Her mother was remarried a few years later to Julius Jensen and had four children, Ethel Jensen Larson, Ruth Jensen Cochiaro, William “Bill” Jensen and Betty Jensen Dietz.
Dorothy and her siblings grew up on their parent’s dairy farm and after graduating from school in Marinette, she relocated to Chicago to live with her older sister Vera.
It was there in Chicago that Jack and Dorothy met after he returned home from the service. They met at a bowling alley and that is where their love affair began. They were married on July 27, 1947. Their first son Joseph Jack was born a year later and their second son Richard Roy was born 16 months after that. Pamela Rose came along four years later.
Jacks parents moved to St. Petersburg in 1949 and Jack and Dotty followed them with their 3 small children in 1953 shortly after Pam was born. Their fourth child, Donald Paul was born eight years later.
Jack was a long term member of the Knights of Columbus serving as Grand Knight of council 5131 in the early 60’s and later serving the Central Florida Region as Deputy Director from 1964 – 1966.
During his business career, he owned several business’ including Holsum Coffee, Gulf Coast Plastics, and Industrial Enterprises. He was later employed as National Sales Manager of Florida Plastics and then Acme Plastics. In later years he owned and managed several commercial rental properties in both Gulfport and Safety Harbor, Florida.
Dorothy was a Homemaker and was always there for her children. She also assisted her husband with his business’ as his bookkeeper.
Because they both came from large families who still lived up north their home was always the destination for vacations and visits and it wasn’t just because the family wanted to come to Florida. They wanted to come see Jack and Dot! They welcomed everyone with open arms and a place to stay. There were many a night with card games well into the early hours and there was always a lot of laughter.
With time some of Jack and Dottie’s siblings followed them to St Petersburg.
Dorothy always knew that her family had been in this country for a long time and after doing research she was able to document that her 6th Great Grandfather Jacob Carwile served in the Revolutionary War. She and Pam joined the Daughters of the American Revolution and are members of the Boca Ciega Chapter.
Jack and Dotty were preceded in death by their son Donald Paul and then their dear Daughter in Law Colleen Keating Spatafora. Their four Grandsons Jack and Christopher Spatafora and Adam and Tony Steadman were very special to them and the light of their lives.
We have all heard the stories of couples that have been married for a long time departing close to one another. Jack and Dorothy were married for 67 years. Dorothy went to go home to be with the Lord early Monday morning and we struggled with how we were going to tell him. When we were with him he immediately asked how Mom was doing and said he wanted to talk to her. We gently told him she wasn’t able to talk to him right then. We never told him that she had passed but he knew. He left to be with her just a little more than 24 hours later; a testimony of his love for her.
Jack and Dorothy were wonderful Parents, awesome Grandparents, loving Brother and Sister, and fun-loving Uncle and Aunt. They will be missed beyond measure.
What’s your fondest memory of Jack?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jack?
Share a story where Jack's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jack you’ll never forget.
How did Jack make you smile?
