Jack Gantz

Jack Gantz of Newark, DE tragically passed away on August 22, 2025 at the age of 75. He was a beloved husband, father, and friend. Born on February 12, 1950, in Philadelphia, PA, Jack lived a life full of love for family and friends, and marked by a life of service and dedication. Jack was raised in Audubon, NJ. He graduated from Audubon high school where he was an accomplished cross country runner. A proud Army veteran, Jack served his country in the Vietnam war for two tours and then served in the New Jersey Army National Guard. He was a volunteer fire fighter for 26 years and had a 36-year career as a vehicle front-end alignment specialist. In retirement, he continued to work in auto parts delivery. Jack’s only son, Justin, was very special to him. Jack was very proud of Justin. He texted him, ”Good morning,” each day and loved their time working on his truck or getting a tattoo together. Jack treasured his grandchildren too. He loved to text and tease Hope, Reed, and CJ. Jack valued the fun times during many family dinners, and game nights with Shirley’s large extended family (especially when he didn’t have to play). He loved to tease all his grandchildren and rile up everyone when he could. Jack was a dedicated member of Legacy Bible Church, where his faith in Jesus was an important part of his life. Jack's love for animals was well-known, and he volunteered his time at local SPCAs. Jack had a special fondness for animals, often feeding his neighbors' and family members' pets, as well as any wildlife that wandered near his home, including cats, birds, squirrels, mice, and even skunks. He was a man known for his wiseacre remarks and often humorous observations. Jack and Shirley took many day trips and treasured yearly trips to Florida where they visited with extended family. Jack had a passion for tattoo artistry. He was fascinated by spiders and had many tattoos of them. He would proudly show you his spiders and his tattoos memorializing a beloved cat and dog friend. Over the years, Jack was a huge fan of Lynyrd Skynyrd and enjoyed following their tribute bands. He especially liked John Woodward’s Old Skool band and valued John’s friendship. Jack is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Gantz; his son, Justin and wife, Angela, along with his grandchildren, Hope, Reed, and CJ; his five stepchildren, Paul McConomy, Jr., William McConomy, Maria LeNoir (Tom), Rachel Dell (Mark), Erin Garrick (Jason), (including 20 grandchildren & 11 great grandchildren); his sister-in-law, Jennifer Gantz, and niece, Zoe Parks (Michael). Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Aaron Gantz and Margaret Fendt Gantz, and his brother, Frank Gantz. Family and friends are invited to attend a viewing on Friday, August 29, 2025 from 11AM to 12 PM at Pike Creek Bible Church, 199 Polly Drummond Hill Rd, Newark, DE 19711. A memorial service in celebration of jack’s life will follow at 12 PM. Burial will take place at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear, DE 19701 on Friday, September 5, with an 11 AM Committal Service with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Legacy Bible Church, PO Box 690, Middletown, DE 19709 or legacybible.church For directions or to send an online condolence please visit www.stranofeeley.com Strano & Feeley Family Funeral Home 302-731-5459

Jack Gantz

February 12, 1950 - August 22, 2025

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