John F. "Jack" Karako

John F. “Jack” Karako, 94, passed away peacefully at home on September 28, 2024 surrounded by his loving wife and family after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  He was born on November 28, 1929 in Fairport Harbor to parents Alex and Julia Karako.

Jack was born at home and lived in Fairport Harbor his entire life, graduating from Fairport Harding High School. He attended the Hungarian Reformed Church and then Zion Lutheran Church after marrying.  Known in high school as “Carrots”, Jack excelled as an athlete in basketball and baseball.  He was perhaps one of the first NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) athletes, as he was sponsored in high school by area businesses and was scouted by the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies were a day late, however, as not having heard from them, Jack enlisted in the Navy with one of his best friends the day before they arrived to sign him.

Jack served in the Navy, primarily on the USS Bayfield, an attack transport ship.  After North Korea invaded South Korea in June 1950, and President Truman decided the U.S. would enter the fight to prevent expansion of Communism, Jack was involved in the initial U.S. invasion at Inchon, South Korea on September 15, 1950.  Jack served 4 years in the military, a year longer than planned due to the President’s Executive Order extending all enlistments by 12 months.

Upon returning to Fairport, Jack worked for the U.S. Postal Service, initially as a mail carrier.  He simultaneously worked for the Fairport Village Water Department and then moved over to become a Special Duty Police Officer for the Village. His knowledge of civics and of the layout details of Fairport and its water utility grid made him a valuable asset to the community. He served many years on Village Council as a member and as Council President. Jack eventually retired from community work and from the Post Office in 1990, where he had been the Supervisor of Mails & Delivery in Painesville, Ohio.

Jack enjoyed fishing on Lake Erie and was an expert at catching and fileting perch and walleye, smoking kolbasz and making apple sauce and homemade bread. He also had a green thumb growing the tallest and most productive tomato plants in Lake County. And he loved sports. He became a licensed bus driver so he could drive Fairport football, basketball and track athletes to sporting events, and he especially loved The Ohio State Buckeyes.  He and his wife June liked to vacation in Florida or visit friends in South Carolina or Nevada, and they were tireless in supporting their grandchildren’s activities, each of whom had a special bond with their Grandpa. Jack was proud of his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews, who gave him great joy in life.

Married February 25, 1956, Jack is survived by his wife of 68 years, June (Urban) Karako; daughter Linda Mackov (Steve); sons Scott Karako (Gina) and Todd Karako (Nan); and grandchildren John Kapostasy, Ben Kapostasy, Katy Kapostasy, Rachel Mackov, Max Karako, Mikel Karako, Elizabeth Karako and Savannah (Karako) Green. He was preceded in death by his eldest daughter Kathy (Karako) Kapostasy (Gary) who passed in 2017.  

A service will be held at a later date. The family greatly appreciates the support and responsiveness provided by Hospice of Western Reserve, who allowed Jack to leave this world with dignity from his home.

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