Schondorf, Jacob “Jack” of Wellesley, MA died on March 26, 2021, 87 years young. Jack was the devoted and beloved husband to Gladys Arida Schondorf for almost 56 years; most loving and supportive father to Jeremy John Schondorf and Amy Paladino of Wellesley; father-in-law to Patrick Paladino; adoring grandfather to Julia Ann and Maxwell Patrick Paladino; tender brother to Thelma Hiller of New York; affectionate uncle to several nieces and nephews; and bigger-than-life friend to many who loved being in his presence. Jack was the son of Charles and Ann Schondorf who predeceased him.
Jack was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. As a kid, Jack loved playing street ball with his friends and listening to the then Brooklyn Dodgers games on the radio. Full of energy and curiosity, Jack rarely sat still for more than a minute and was a true “city kid.”
While a student at Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, Jack enlisted in the United States Air Force where he was stationed at Floyd Bennett Field in Long Island. Upon his honorable discharge, Jack took his passion for jazz music to The Juilliard School of Music in New York City where he studied the clarinet and bass. Jack was a major jazz buff and loved playing the drums, clarinet, bass and sax at various clubs in Greenwich Village and at Mountain resorts in Upstate New York. He later went on to a career in textiles during the creative movement of the 1950s and 60s, where he moved in the circle of prominent artists and designers of that such as the aspiring Andy Warhol.
Jack had an excellent and creative style in fashion and became a successful designer, stylist and salesman at the then prominent textile firm, Steintex Incorporated. There he met the love of his life, Gladys Arida, and knew the day he laid eyes on her that she was “the one.” After marrying Gladys in 1965, they lived on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and traveled the world before settling down in Westchester County, NY to raise their two children. Later in his career he established a business with several partners to import fine fabrics, yarns and designs from various parts of the world. He was a pioneer in generating strong relations with the then United States Ambassador to Syria.
Jack developed a passion for the winding country roads in Westchester and became an avid runner often going out for 15-mile jogs in the dead of winter to prepare for his first New York City marathon in 1979. He went on to complete three more marathons.
In 2008, Jack, moved to Wellesley with his wife and son to live closer to his daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren. Jack was a gentle and even-tempered man. His enduring smile and affection for those he loved was infectious. He was the kindest most loving father, husband, brother, uncle, and friend. Jack was bigger than life, sincere, generous, creative, and easy going. He had an amazing sense of humor and fervor for making people laugh while in his presence.
Jack will forever be missed and will live eternally in our hearts and minds.
A visitation will be held at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St. (Rt.16) Wellesley on Saturday, April 3, from 12-2pm followed by a funeral service at the funeral home with United States Air Force military honors at 2pm. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment private.