GLOUCESTER – John J. “Jack” Moses, 71, passed away Sunday, January 26, 2014, after a courageous battle with lung disease, surrounded by his children. He was the husband of the late Donna M. (Main) Moses.
Born in Gloucester on June 19, 1942, he was the son of the late James T. and Helen C. (Joseph) Moses.
Right from the start, he was groomed by his dad, the original “Uncle Moe,” to be a hard worker, a good son, brother and friend, but first and foremost, a great dad and husband.
Sports as a child came naturally. Baseball and basketball were his two favorites. He was the starter all four years for St. Ann’s High School, coached by his cousin, Tommy Simon. Jack was a smooth hitting center fielder on the diamond and a sharp shooting guard on the court. He always loved to talk of the times they would play Gloucester High School and beat them in both sports on a consistent basis.
After graduation, he went to work at Uncle Moe’s, the family restaurant, until he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1964. Jack served his country for fifteen months as a Private in Vietnam until his honorable discharge in March of 1966.
Upon his release, he returned to Uncle Moe’s, where his father and brother, Bobby, turned the restaurant into one of Gloucester’s favorite eateries.
This was also the time that he fell in love with the girl down the street. After a short courtship, he married his wife, Donna Main. They had shared 34 years of marriage before her passing in 2001. He was most proud of his three children, Toni, Janelle and Jason, affectionately referred to as “The Dummy.”
In 1971, Jack made the tough decision to leave the restaurant and start his own business, Jack’s Window and Cleaning Service, which he grew successfully. Upon his retirement, he passed the business on to his son, Jason.
In recent years, he could be found holding court high above street level at his favorite hang out, Tony’s Variety. He loved helping, as well as aggravating, his pal, Steve Figuerido. Jack was always good for a “hey pal,” “honey bunch,” or the one used most, “huh?”
Jack had many friends over the years, but a close bond was formed with his friends, Terry Silva and Paul Simon. Not only did he cherish his close friendships, but he adored his seven grandchildren, Joshua Moses, Cameron Budrow, Evan Moses, Kylie and Kaitlyn Jackson, Ethan Moses, and his youngest, Lola Moses, who will all miss their “bumpy.”
In addition to his grandchildren, he is survived by his children, Toni Moses, Janelle, wife of Derek Jackson and Jason, husband of Andrea (Myles) Moses; brother, James J. Jr., husband of Rose E. “Betty” Moses; sister, Orient (Moses) Provost and many ‘favorite’ nieces, nephews and cousins. He was also predeceased by his brother-in-law, Warren P. Main; sister and brother-in-law, Rita (Moses) and Peter Strescino; brothers, Robert Moses and Thomas Moses; and nephews, Thomas, Paul and Gregory Moses, as well as Michael Provost.
Jack will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him, for he was truly an angel from God.
A celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Monday, February 3rd at Woodman’s Function Hall, The Essex Room, 125 Main Street, Essex, from 6 – 9 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to The Fisher House, 1400 VFW Parkway, W. Roxbury, MA 02132. Arrangements are under the direction of the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester.