In Memoriam: Former Rumsonite Jack Kraft, 86 — Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect

Dad, you were a great father, husband , brother, and friend. You have touched countless numbers of people in your 86 years here with us. You have always put others first before yourself. You will be missed by many. P.S.: I don’t plan on putting my elbows on the table when I eat, or chewing with my mouth open, or saying the word “Eww.”
Robert Kraft, Jack’s son

“Please also honor him by reminiscing about the time you were able to spend with him, have a laugh and raise a glass!” ~ family of Jack Kraft

Former Rumsonite Jack Kraft passed away peacefully on June 28. He was 87.

Jack was a lifelong resident of New Jersey, many of those years living in Rumson, with his wife Joy of 63 years and six children and later seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

“Jack led an extraordinary life filled with love and dedication to his family and personal accomplishments …
Together they (Jack and Joy) traveled the world, weathered the ups and downs of life, and loved each other with a devotion that inspired all. His work life was dedicated to service. As a young man, Jack enjoyed playing basketball and boating (including one event when he went out with a friend to buy some beer and he returned hours later with a boat…no beer!). Still, his lifelong passion would become tennis, both playing and watching. We all knew when it was time for Wimbledon! His true life motivation was to be present, raise his family, and participate in the fun. He enjoyed family vacations in Lavallette, NJ, where he met Joy on the beach, and Florida where he frequented his favorite Rod Stewart impersonator show. He also enjoyed the Ringling Brothers circus, kite flying, teaching his kids to ride bicycles, taking them trick or treating (and dressing like Dracula with his grandson Kevin), and providing all of them with a shining example of integrity, selflessness, and devotion.
Loved ones of Jack Kraft in his obituary prepared by them

Jack graduated from Xavier High School in Newark. “We would always hear him singing Sons of Xavier every time Xavier was mentioned, and family often mentioned it just to hear him sing.”

He went on to Georgetown University and Yale Law School and also served honorably as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. After discharge from the Air Force, his law career began in the NJ Governor’s office and then segued into the field of municipal bonds where he was a trailblazer in New Jersey.

His service included: State Bar trustee, chair of the Local Government Law Section, editor-in-chief of the editorial board of the New Jersey Lawyer newspaper, member of the editorial board of the New Jersey Law Journal, and founding fellow of the American College of Bond Counsel, serving as its first president for three years.

In 1973 Jack was a founding member of the Friendly Sons & Daughters of St. Patrick, Jersey Shore and was honored as its Irishman of the year in 2008.

His awards include: the Richard J. Hughes Award, the Fred G. Stickel Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sales Improvement Consultants Inc..

Jack is predeceased by his sons, John Leonard Kraft, Jr. and Edward John Kraft.

He is survived by: his wife of 63 years, Anne J. “Joy” Kraft; and children, Elaine M. Pfeil and husband John, children John and Elizabeth Darrell and Jennifer Huntley [husband Jared and children Joshua, Joanna, Caleb], Karen A. Rehrig and son Sean and partner Derek Franco, Helen M. Juskus and husband Michael and children Kevin Kraft and Joy Heller [husband Jeff], Catherine Shafer and husband Ken and daughter Amanda, Robert J. Kraft, and Anne M. Kraft; his brother, Joseph Kraft; sister-in-law, Elaine M. Broadhurst; and many nieces and nephews.

A private family service will be held in Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate in his honor to one of his lifelong favorite charities for Cystic Fibrosis research.

— Edited obituary prepared by family

— Photos/courtesy of the Kraft family via social media (CLICK to enlarge and scroll)