John "Jack" E. Wacker

John “Jack” E. Wacker, Sr., 85, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2018.Born in Beacon, NY 27 April 1932, he was the son of the late John Andrew and Mary (Fisher) Wacker.He was a 40 year resident of Hyde Park, NY before moving to Florence, SC in 1997.Mr. Wacker graduated from Arlington High School in 1951.Ending with a rank of Staff Sergeant, he served four years in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956.He graduated from USAF Medical Corpsman School in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was a manager at IBM Poughkeepsie and Fishkill retiring in 1991 after 35 years of service.His final position was an Advisory Systems Analyst.Mr. Wacker worked as a security guard at Northern Dutchess Hospital, Rhinebeck, NY from 1992-1997. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church, Florence, SC.Mr. Wacker was also a member of Hyde Park Lions Club, Hyde Park Recreation Commission, and President of Hyde Park Pop Warner Football League from 1979-1980.He received the Pop Warner President’s award for outstanding accomplishments.Mr. Wacker was also a member of Hyde Park Little League from 1963-1982 holding the position of either coach, manger or Commissioner.In 1975 he received the Junior League Baseball Commissioner’s award for outstanding accomplishment.In 1969 he managed the Hyde Park Little League which won District 17 and advanced to the Section 1 finals.In 1979 he was coach of the Hyde Park All-Star Little League team which won the New York State Little League Championship and advanced to the Eastern Regionals where the team tied for 2nd place.He also bowled in several Hyde Park bowling leagues. On 13 Feb 1955 Mr. Wacker married Joan (Ollivett) Wacker in Washington Street Methodist Church in Poughkeepsie, NY.In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Bonnie LaRocca of Florence, SC and two sons: John Jr. (Tami) of Hopewell Junction, NY and James (Lisa) of Florence SC. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Anthony, Vanessa, Michael, Bettina, Alexis, and Jillian; and five great-grandchildren, Aniyah, Gia, Gemma, Aurelia, and Mattis. Mr. Wacker also has a brother, Donald A. Wacker (Ida) of Pleasant Valley, NY and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Wacker was also passionate about the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Browns, UConn Girls Basketball Team, deer hunting, trout fishing and military history as well as his dog Dee. The service will be held Friday, January 12 at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. The viewing will be at 11 AM, and the services will be 12 PM.Interment will be immediately following the services at the Florence National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Saint Jude’s Children Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/) and McLeod Hospice House (https://www.mcleodhealth.org/services/care/hospice-overview/). Please sign the tribute wall for the family at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.