Notifications

No notifications
We will send an invite after you submit!
  • Helping hands

    In lieu of flowers

    Please consider a gift to Make a Wish Foundation of New Jersey.
  • Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Memories & condolences

Year (Optional)
Location (Optional)
Caption
YouTube/Facebook/Vimeo Link
Caption
Who is in this photo?
Or start with a template for inspiration
Cancel
By posting this memory, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
It's been 4 years, but to me, it seems like last week...miss you, buddy.

Happy heavenly birthday to my buddy! 

I miss you... 

Helping hands

In lieu of flowers

Please consider a gift to Make a Wish Foundation of New Jersey.
$1,300.00
Raised by 11 people
Wishing a very dear friend, biking mentor, and staunch supporter of the Make-A-Wish event a Happy Heavenly Birthday.
Thinking of you all day Missing you 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔
A little bit about Jack as a young man... Jack and I became best of friends in 1972 while we were attending Kingsboro Community College in Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn. We are both the same age, born within 2 days of each other, July 18th and July 20th. Jack lived on Ave T & East 66th St, and I about 4 blocks away on Ave N & East 65th St. He was working at John's deli on Ave N and eventually got me a job there as well. Many nights after work we would drive down to his parent's boat, have a few beers and just hang out. At that time, he had a 450 CC Honda and got me interested in motorcycles. He taught me how to ride and helped me get my MC license. He eventually bought himself a white Jeep Commando that he enjoyed driving on the beach off Brezzy Point. 

Jack and I played a lot of sports together. He was an excellent athlete with natural god given skills. He was very fast on his feet, had excellent balance and jumping abilities. He was the captain of his high school swimming team at James Madison High school. He and I visited the school one day, and I saw his name painted on the wall next to the swimming pool. Jack was the fastest guy in the neighborhood. We played many pickup basketball games together in the park and rarely lost, he was an excellent shooter and could dunk the ball. I always said he could have played college basketball if he wanted too. We also played on a touch tackle football team with a lot of other friends from the neighborhood. His position was running back. Unfortunately, one afternoon while he was running with the ball during a game, he got tackled just as he planted his foot and blew out his knee. His knee was never the same after that injury.

 After I was married in 1978 and moved out of Brooklyn, our friendship and lives moved in different directions. Jack had asked me to be a partner with him in starting a Boar's Head route. We talked about it, and as much as I wanted to do it, there just wasn't enough income when starting up a new route. Although we haven't seen a lot of each other over the years we always stayed in touch. I am grateful that he came to a gathering of old friends at my house the summer before the pandemic started. I will miss my old friend and will always cherish our memories together. Our deepest sympathies to his family.

Comments:
  • Please make sure you've written a comment before it can be published. If you prefer to remove your comment, you can delete it.
  • Sorry, we had some trouble updating your comment.
Comments:
  • Please make sure you've written a comment before it can be published. If you prefer to remove your comment, you can delete it.
  • Sorry, we had some trouble updating your comment.
Wonderful memories of our dear friend who always made us laugh and enjoy life!   Jack ... you were one of a kind and your kindness, laughter, love for family and friends will remain with us forever.    Rest in the arms of our Lord.
Having fun, fun, fun til Dadd…
2017, Morris Plains, NJ, USA
Having fun, fun, fun til Daddy takes the T Bird away
Comments:
  • Please make sure you've written a comment before it can be published. If you prefer to remove your comment, you can delete it.
  • Sorry, we had some trouble updating your comment.
Comments:
  • Please make sure you've written a comment before it can be published. If you prefer to remove your comment, you can delete it.
  • Sorry, we had some trouble updating your comment.
Comments:
  • Please make sure you've written a comment before it can be published. If you prefer to remove your comment, you can delete it.
  • Sorry, we had some trouble updating your comment.

Want to see more?

Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.

Get grief support

Connect with others in a formal or informal capacity.

Recent contributions

$100.00
Jane Fanelli
$50.00
Bruce Gaeta
$100.00
Louise and George Cubillas
See all contributionsRight arrow
×

Stay in the loop

Mr. John "Jack" Hambel