On November 11, 2019, John (aka Jack) Simko’s spirit left Waitsfield, Vermont, to choose the next community in which he could make an impact.
Jack was the youngest of four siblings born to Hungarian immigrants in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He met the love of his life, Doreen, whom he gave all credit to for his graduating from the high school in which they met. Jack, at the age of 13, was drawn more to working with his father and brother in the family floral business than the traditional classroom. On weekends, Jack took a bus from New Brunswick, NJ, to New York City to attend floral design classes. Graduating in 1952 at the age of 16, Jack still holds the record as the youngest graduate ever from the New York City School of Floral Design.
Jack and Doreen raised five children all born within six years. Work was a family affair. The Franklin Flower Shop and, later, Sunshine Bouquet Company provided many opportunities for their kids to learn the importance of customer relations, entrepreneurship and high-quality work.
There is a saying, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Jack was far from dull and he knew how to play. He and Doreen were the host of all hosts at their primary home in New Jersey.
In March of 1986, Jack and Doreen traded in their Warren ski house to become the stewards of one of Vermont’s last remaining round barns. Jack truly had vision.
Although many a Vermonter stopped in to tell Jack that the old place was going to be some kind of work to fix up, he knew what the farm would become and mean to the community. His high school yearbook caption read, “He will find a way.” Jack was committed to fine craftsmanship and the art of true hospitality. He loved to create beauty. His joy came from providing nurturing spaces meticulously designed with undeniable attention to detail. His commitment to restoration was unwavering. Fellow craftsmen envied “the Simko eye.” He settled for nothing less than perfection when it came to restoring the Joslin Round Barn Farm.
Jack was a passionate Rotarian with quite a knack when it came to the art of selling “Duck” tickets. He built homes for Habitat for Humanity, magnificent opera sets, benches for Bridge Street and tables for his children’s and grandchildren’s homes. All of this was simply a way for Jack to connect with his family and community.
Jack’s life defied boundary and border. His travels took him and his beloved wife across six continents. They trekked across the Galapagos Islands, climbed to the top of Machu Picchu, administered polio vaccines in Mali, explored the Pushkar Camel Fair in India and at the age of 79 devoured the simplistic beauty of Japan’s gardens.
Among the countless creations Jack devised in his lifetime, none was more precious than his family. He was Doreen’s rock. Diane, John, Michael, AnneMarie and Greg gave him the gift of 12 grandchildren. Lansie, David, Laura, Andrew, Mathew, Carter, Alexander, Elizabeth, David, Owen, Connor and Brooke spent mornings loving Pop Pop’s Mickey Mouse pancakes with chocolate chip smiles and lots of whipped cream and maple syrup.
In the barn that Jack brought back to life, we will be honoring his own. A service will be held by his wife and family on December 7, 2019. Please join us at 10 a.m. to pay tribute to an amazing man at the Inn at Round Barn Farm in Waitsfield.
