JEROME "Jack" BARI

Jack was born in "Little Italy" New York on March 14, 1929.  Soon after his birth, Jack's father left the family to fend for itself in their tidy 10 ^th floor walkup. Jack grew up in a loving environment while Mary, his mother took on odd jobs to wrestle the family budget. Jack soon learned Italian cooking from mom, a skill that would remain with him throughout his life.

Jack was not afraid to work hard and took on odd jobs to help mom out, from bagel deliveryman to bus boy in a number of restaurants. At the age of 15, Jack convinced Radio City Music Hall to hire him as an usher, whereupon he found his life's goal – the theatre and live music.  Jack was able to see the best in entertainment and make a couple of bucks in the process.

As an adult Jack stayed in the restaurant business, but that was only after serving in the U.S. Army as a tank commander during the Korean War. On his return Jack also managed a number of local musicians one of whom was Ray Nance. Ray was a trumpet and violin empresario by way of Chicago who later went on to work with Duke Ellington. By this time Jack has met the true love of his life, Nancy Wachter, who herself was in show business working as a dancer from New York to Los Angeles and a stint with the Radio City Rockettes. When the couple found themselves together in New York a great night would be going to see Ray play.  Jack would say to Nancy, "put on your pearls we're going to see Ray"!

In his restaurant career Jack would go to all the New York high spots, one of those being Jilly's Salon. Interestingly, one of the more frequent visitors at Jilly's was Frank Sinatra, and Jack would always get a wave from Frank when he was in town.

Jack and Nancy lived together for 55 glorious and happy years, the last 30 being in Ogden Dunes, Indiana where the city slicker would sometimes become a beach bum.  Jack will be missed.