Jack Carbon, loving husband, father, and grandfather, died peacefully Friday, July 15, at the Plymouth Rehabilitation Hospital in Plymouth.
Jack grew up in Sherborn. He was the son of John and Ellinor Carbon. As a child, Jack loved camping and was an active Cub Scout.
Jack met his future wife Ginny in high school when she moved to Sherborn with her foster family. She was nervous, stepping on the bus for the first day, and Jack offered her a seat next to him. They fell in love and married. Shortly after the birth of his first child, Ellie, Jack left to serve in the Vietnam War. He served one year as a Navy Seabee builder.
When Jack returned, he and Ginny lived in Ashland and had their second child, Danny. They then made the decision to move to Martha’s Vineyard. Jack built the house in Edgartown where they lived and raised their family. On the Vineyard, Jack and friend Jerry Grant started Grant & Carbon Marine. During this time, they contributed to the “Jaws” set together, and had fun building the dock that was designed to collapse in the movie. Several years later, Jack got his captain’s license and drove the Chappy Ferry. He enjoyed his years on the ferry, making many good friends from Chappy and even delivering a baby late one night. Later Jack went to work for Red Ward at Gazaille and Ward as a carpenter. He worked for Red for a number of years, as did his son-in-law Steve. Several years later, Jack and Steve went into business together doing carpentry.
Jack was a kindhearted man, always with a smile. He was a dock builder, court officer, caretaker, carpenter, volunteer fireman, and boat captain. He loved traveling, and with Ginny was able to see London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Portugal, where Danny was living as an adult. He also loved going on cruises, and he and Ginny enjoyed making new friends as they sailed the seas. Jack loved Maine and New Hampshire, and they would often travel there in the fall with Danny and Ellie when they were younger. He enjoyed fishing and photography. He loved the Patriots and the Celtics. But mostly he enjoyed his family. His grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he loved watching them in their activities, playing computer games with them, or swimming in the pool. Papa Jack’s calm personality had a way of getting any restless baby to sleep or overtired toddler to curl up in his lap.
Jack leaves behind his wife and best friend of 50 years, Ginny; son Danny, daughter-in-law Shannon, their children Jack and Bess; daughter Ellie, son-in-law Steven, and their children Kristen and Sarah. He also leaves behind his sister Jean and her family, his brothers Tony and Jay and their families, as well as many other loving family members.
A private service will be held at a later date. Contributions in his name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
