JOHN J. "JACK" MC CRYSTAL

John J. “Jack” McCrystal, 75, of Chicopee, MA, passed away peacefully at home on November 9, 2015, surrounded by his family.  Jack was a resident of Ware for over 50 years before retiring to Dunedin, Florida, moving to Texas to be closer to his daughter and family and then returning home to Massachusetts.

Born on June 7, 1940, he was the beloved son of the late William and Katherine (O’Connor) McCrystal.  Jack attended Ware schools, graduating in 1958 from Ware High School, where he was a four-year varsity letter athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball.  He went on to attend Wilbraham Monson Academy and continued to play football.   Jack maintained his passion for sports throughout his life as an unofficial coach and enthusiastic spectator for his daughters and grandchildren.  He was a walking encyclopedia of sports statistics and trivia.  Jack was a quick-witted storyteller and a beloved father and grandfather. He fiercely admired proud Irishmen and great leaders. To his family, he was always both. 

Jack started his career in construction at Daniel O’Connell‘s General Contracting and then transitioned to Monsanto Chemical, before starting his entrepreneurial career in real estate and sole proprietorship.  For over 25 years, Jack owned and operated several successful businesses in Ware, including The Cue ‘n’ Cushion Billiard Parlor, CNC Lounge, the White House Lunch and Jack’s Place, practicing a lifelong love of cooking.  In addition, Jack taught a beverage management course at Springfield Technical Community College, sharing his knowledge and expertise with his students.

Jack served the Town of Ware for many years on the Board of Assessors and the Ware Democratic Town Committee. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Lions Club and the Ware Foundry Athletic Club.

Jack leaves his five daughters, Gaylyn Reilly and husband Mark of Portsmouth, NH; Jacqueline Hermann and husband Thomas of Oak Bluffs, MA; Michelle Provost and husband Wayne of Rowlett, TX; Lisa McCrystal Moulton of Wilbraham, MA; and Colleen McCrystal and wife Laura of Bethesda, MD.  He also leaves 14 grandchildren:  Garrett, Erica and Jonathan Moulton; Katherine “Katie” and Meaghan Reilly; Elizabeth, Jack, James, Sarah, and Mary Sue Provost; Caroline and William Hermann; David and Emily McCrystal.  He is survived by his former wife Beverly McCrystal Goodrow and three siblings: his brother William “Bill” McCrystal and wife Polli; and his sisters Kathleen “Pat” Peritz and husband Bob and Maureen “Mickey” Hogan and friend Lenny Jarry, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, November 27, 2015, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Charbonneau Funeral Home, 30 Pleasant Street, Ware, MA.  Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 28, 2015, in All Saints Church, 17 North Street, Ware, MA.  Donations in Jack’s memory may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project. (www.woundedwarriorproject.org)