Jack Tierney

Jack Tierney was born on January 1, 1943 to Mildred and Frank Tierney in Montclair, New Jersey.

He was the fourth child, following his sister Jane and brothers Art and Joe. His younger sister Jean Marie arrived later to complete the family. As a boy, Jack was always in motion, often finding himself in adventures that Art and Joe had somehow talked him into. He bought, fixed up, and sold his first car when he was 13–the start of a lifelong love of all things automotive. He attended Immaculate Conception through grade school.

After trying out what seemed like every local high school, Jack eventually decided the Navy was a better match. He became an airplane mechanic in the Navy and when he got out, he went to bartend at his uncle’s bar, the infamous Tierney’s Tavern.

He also bartended at Dodd’s where he met the love of his life, Connie. He checked her ID and immediately discovered she wasn’t 21—but he also suspected she might be the one. He was right. Six months later they were married, much to the displeasure of Connie’s mother, who eventually grew to adore him. Jack and Connie were married almost 58 years.

They settled in New Jersey and had daughters Kelly and Jacquelene. After getting transferred to Buffalo, NY they had son John and their family was complete. In 1981, they went west and moved to Aurora, Colorado. Jack was in charge of Avis Rental Car at Stapleton Airport. In 1987, his career took him to Orlando, Florida. Later, he returned to Colorado with Budget and eventually opened two Budget car dealerships. Most everyone that ever worked for him, loved him and respected him and he felt the same about them.

Florida never quite let go of him, though, and he and Connie eventually became part-time residents of Naples. Wherever Jack and Connie lived, they built a community of family and friends who always seemed to be nearby—or on their way for a visit. Jack was deeply devoted to the people he loved and took great pride in being a husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend.

If you knew him and he wasn’t razzing you, he didn’t like you. Jack checked in on everyone he loved regularly. He was always ready with advice, mentorship, or help. Besides his family, he loved golfing, good music, fixing up vintage cars, antiques, a good drink, and being Irish.

Aside from being an amazing person, he was the strongest person you could imagine. Jack faced more than his share of medical challenges—multiple heart attacks, two double-bypass surgeries, cancer, and countless other obstacles. Each time, he met them with determination and grit. After a lifetime of overcoming the odds, it is still hard to imagine a world without him in it.

He is survived by his adoring wife Connie, daughters Kelly(Mike) and Jacquelene (Brian), son John (Karlie), grandchildren Jack (Kaylee), Lily (Riley), Brody, Annie, Sophie, Julia, Lucy, and Sean, and great grandchildren Audrey and Kieran. Although all of his siblings and his beloved nephew Donnie preceded him in death, he is also survived by his brother-in-law Dick, sister-in-law Suzie, the best nieces and nephews, and more dear friends than anyone could possibly count.

Services honoring his life will be held with family and friends at Horan and McConaty on October 11 at 10 am.