A special heavenly gate assigned for Notre Dame Fans Only opened at dawn on Nov. 26, 2022, to welcome John “Jack” McGlynn, of Skaneateles, after a long battle with Parkinson’s. He was the youngest of six, born on Feb. 2, 1940, to Marion Coughlin McGlynn and Henry James McGlynn in Rochester, N.Y.
He lived up to his role as the baby of the family with unmatched humor and a prankster acumen. After graduating from Aquinas Institute, he attended SUNY Brockport and St. John Fisher College before serving in the Marine Corps as a reservist from 1962 to 1972. During this time, he also worked for American Airlines.
Before he packed his bags for college, he met and fell in love with his future wife, Jean Trainor, in high school. After a long courtship, which included Jean attending St. Mary’s College — Notre Dame’s sister school — the two married in 1963.
Jack’s vivacious nature drove him to at first work in sales traveling throughout New York state. On his initial visit to Skaneateles, he entered the village from the east on route 20, and as soon as he dipped down and came upon the lake, he had an inkling that this would be a perfect place to raise his newly-budding family.
Jean agreed. In 1969 they moved on to State Street in Skaneateles with their three sons John, Stephen and Matthew. Here, the family experienced a frightening house fire, but also, the kindness of their neighbors.
They eventually relocated to upper Academy Street where many a family celebration has occurred. With Jack’s encouragement, Jean, a gifted Interior Designer, opened McGlynn Interiors headquartered in Skaneateles, but operating nationally and in Canada, too. Business was so good; Jack came off the road and joined Jean in her venture heading up the administration of the business.
In Jack’s retirement, the McGlynn’s spent half of the year in Naples, FL. Here, Jack established himself as the Cheese Man at the farmer’s market. He turned south Florida onto the micro plane cheese grater and specialized in selling Italian hard cheeses eventually also offering New York’s River Rat cheddar.
Throughout Jack’s life he enjoyed sports and games of all kinds, even playing varsity soccer in college. When he wasn’t n the field, he was a fan and even coached his sons in Little League for many years. After mastering the YoYo, tennis, golf and fishing were favorites leisure activities. Beyond his marvelous sense of humor and lightning-fast Witt, he was congenial and kind.
He was a devoted husband, father, uncle and grandfather —leaving behind many happy memories.
Jack was sadly predeceased this year by his son Matthew. He leaves behind his wife Jean McGlynn, his two sons, John (Carolyn Manibusan) and Stephen (Lisa Young), and Mathew’s wife, Joyce Jones, as well as 11 grandchildren whom he adored: Patrick, Kylie (Eric Skoldberg), Cullen, Mae, Will, Anna, Ella, Grace and Ryan McGlynn; Konnor and Kamryn Manibusan; and two great-grandchildren Max and Oliver Skoldberg.
Celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Skaneateles Country Club.
Contributions in Jack’s name: The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
