Philip Harold Jack

Philip "Phil" Harold Jack

March 28, 1946 - February 25, 2025

Philip "Phil" Harold Jack, 78, died Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 in Salem, Oregon.

Phil was born on March 28, 1946 to Philip Sr. and Dorothy Jack in Oceanside, NY. He grew up on Long Island where he met the love of his life, Nancy De Celio, at the tender age of 13. He attended Brentwood High School and participated in track and baseball. He also served as senior class president and graduated in 1964.

Phil and Nancy were married on July 22, 1967 in Valley Stream, NY. They were each other's lifelong companions and were together since childhood, married for 57 years. They were blessed with three daughters.

Shortly after he was married, Phil left in the beginning of August 1967 to bravely serve in the Vietnam War as a member of the United States Army. He started his service working briefly as a Combat Medic but transferred to Unit Supply Specialist where he was responsible for supervising and maintaining all the Army supplies and equipment. He returned home on August 15, 1968, a date he celebrated every year.

After living on the East coast since birth, Phil and family decided to move out West in 1971, making Oregon home. He began working for Moore's Business Forms and also worked part-time for Sears as a delivery driver. He was then hired by the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier where he faithfully worked for almost thirty years until retirement.

Phil loved all sports from horse racing and Nascar, to football or baseball. He loved watching sports, talking about sports and occasionally even betting on them. He enjoyed reading mystery fiction as well as playing computer games or working on puzzles. He was very knowledgeable about anything to do with the weather or climate. He stayed active and enjoyed walking daily.

Serving in the military was very important to Phil. Not only was he proud to serve his country, but anytime he would see another veteran, he would always thank them for their service. You could put him in a room full of strangers and he would make friends. He was very easy to talk to and was willing to help whenever he could. Phil was always very reliable and he'd be the first person to call if you needed anything.

He was preceded in death by his parents Philip and Dorothy Jack.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, of Salem, OR; daughters Denise Martin (husband, Brian), of Salem, OR, Barbara O'Rourke (husband, Les), of Aumsville, OR, and Jennifer Hogue (husband, Derrick), of Keizer, OR; grandchildren Timothy O'Rourke, of Aumsville, OR, Alex Martin, of Keizer, OR, Kevin Martin, of Dallas, TX, Haley Cardoza, (husband, Korbin) of Aumsville, OR, and Holly Hogue, of Keizer, OR; sister Elaine Forgione, (husband, Anthony) of Melville, NY; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation is Saturday, March 8 at 12:00pm at the Keizer Funeral Chapel in Keizer, OR. Funeral services to begin at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wounded Warriors or the DAV.

"In the arms of the angel"

Fly away from here

From this dark, cold hotel room

And the endlessness that you fear

You are pulled from the wreckage

Of your silent reverie

You're in the arms of the angel

May you find some comfort here" (Sara McLachlan)

You will forever be in our hearts. Rest in well deserved peace.