John Hobart Shakshober

John Hobart Shakshober, loved and known by most as Jack, 92, of Boston Corner, NY and Venice, FL, passed away on Monday April 29, 2019. 

He was born on April 7, 1927 in Massena, New York. He was the son of the late H. MacLean Shakshober and Adelaide Chandler Shakshober, formerly of Boston Corner. Jack was wintering at his Venice FL home with his loving wife of 68 years, Patricia Lindsay Shakshober. First and foremost a family man, he is also survived by a daughter Caryl Shakshober (Dori Shields), Venice FL; daughter Susan Shakshober (David Reeder), Arlington, TX; son Stuart M. Shakshober (Marta), Churchtown, NY; daughter Patricia MacArthur (John); and son D. John Shakshober (Colleen), Townsend MA. Jack is survived by eight grandchildren, Jamie Riell (Carol); David Reeder Jr (Jill); MacLean Shakshober; Callie Shakshober (Eric Sherman); Sarah MacArthur; John L. MacArthur; Jennifer Shakshober (David O’Leary); and Mary Shakshober. He is also survived by three great grandsons, Kip and Jake and Owen Reeder and two great granddaughters, Chloe and Avery Riell.

He was predeceased by beloved daughter Lynne G Shakshober, and his brother MacLean Shakshober.

Jack graduated from Manhasset High School on Long Island. In 1951 he graduated from St. Lawrence University, where he met his wife Pat.  He is a US Navy Veteran of WWII, Lt. JG and later served in the Naval Reserve.

Pat and Jack were married in 1951 and recently celebrated their 68^th wedding anniversary. Although he had received his BS in Business Administration, Jack would state “I could never see my feet fitting under a desk.”  He and his father purchased a farm and began the business of raising beef cattle. He supplemented the farm income operating a trucking and logging business.  In 1974 he turned a portion of the farm into a nine-hole golf course, Undermountain Golf Course, which is still family owned and operated. Under Jack’s stewardship the course has hosted numerous fund-raisers for local charities.

Jack served on the Ancram Zoning Board of Appeals, was a member of St. John in The Wilderness Church in Copake Falls. He was a member of the Northeastern Golf Course Superintendents Association which honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in July of 2000.

A dedicated, self-educated agronomist and lumberman, Jack truly loved working in the great outdoors. He was a high school and college athlete, excelling in football and baseball. Although he never signed, he tried out for baseball at Ebbets Field home of the Brooklyn Dodgers, and was offered a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.  He played semi-pro ball in the North Country and Millerton NY.  Jack passed his love of sports to his family and they golfed often, vacationing together whenever possible. He and Pat enjoyed their many, many friends in both NY and FL.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on June 23, 2019 at Undermountain Golf Course from 3-6 pm.  At the request of the family a private graveside ceremony is planned in the days to follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Roeliff Jansen Community Library at 9091 Rt 22 PO Box 669 Hillsdale, NY 12529 or through their website http://www.roejanlibrary.org/

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