John W. “Jack” Mitchell
John Mitchell, known to his friends as Jack, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2015 in Daly City, California at age 95.
Jack was born in 1919 in Scotland. His father was a coal miner and when Jack was a small boy his family emigrated to Australia in search of a better life. Jack had many happy memories of his early years canoeing, swimming and fishing with his friends. As he got older, he loved to play soccer on Saturdays and go to dances on Saturday nights. On Sundays he played tennis and got together with friends for sing-a-longs where he would play the banjo. When he could get away, he would ride his motorcycle for weekend camping trips.
The Depression strained family resources so Jack left school to go to work in a foundry. As time passed, he continued his education at night school and got an engineering apprenticeship at the government railroad shops where they built and repaired locomotives for all Western Australia.
World War II began and Australia joined the fight. Jack always loved ships and soon he was working on maritime engine manufacture and later was selected as a trainee maritime engineer. The war brought a demand for marine engineers and after he completed his apprenticeship he served on a number of boats and ships from ferries to coal tenders to troop ships, earning his Marine Engineer license along the way. Circumstances led him to sign on to an American Liberty ship, the SS Nathaniel Currier. He spent most of the war sailing the Pacific Ocean on American Liberty ships carrying needed supplies to troops in the far flung islands of the Pacific, working his way up to First Engineer.
It was on a shore leave in San Francisco that Jack met Maureen Dromey, herself an emigrant from Ireland. She captivated his heart and after the war they married. They had two sons James and Patrick John whom they raised in San Bruno. During these happy years, Jack was active in his Catholic parish serving as a catechist and helping with a number of parish activities. As a hobby, Jack raised beautiful parakeets.
Following Maureen’s death in 1976, Jack met Alice Tuite who brought joy back into his life. They were married and lived in Redwood City until Alice’s death in 2008. Jack and Alice always enjoyed the time spent with Alice’s children, Rick and Marilyn and grandchildren Jonathan, Dominic and Danielle. Jack’s son Jim and his wife Eileen currently live in North Carolina but Jack loved their summer visits when they were able to spend time together. Sadly, Jack’s son Patrick John passed away much too soon in 1986.
Jack worked on engineering projects for a number of companies over the years including Del Monte, FMC, Eimac and Imatron. He worked for UC Berkeley at the Lawrence Berkeley lab and for many years at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.
Jack treasured his family and friends – old and new. After his move to Atria assisted living center in Daly City he would entertain his fellow residents at sing-a-longs by playing the harmonica and banjo with his wonderful friend and partner in music Florence Treat. Jack very much appreciated the kind attention and care provided by the Atria staff.
Family and friends may visit June 18th, after 9am at DUGGAN’S SERRA MORTUARY, 500 Westlake Ave, Daly City, and are invited to attend a Funeral Mass 10:30am at St. Veronica Catholic Church, 434 Alida Way, South San Francisco, followed by a burial service at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Colma.