With a smile, we remember Jack Meyer, who entered the world on December 7, 1935, and departed peacefully at home on April 2nd, 2024— devoted husband Jorge Meyer at his side. Many friends will feel this loss and miss his cheerful and kind spirit along with eldest daughter Jocelyn Gerard and husband Steve, daughter Kimberley Meyer and husband Sean Groom, and grandchildren Ciaran Groom and Siobhan Meyer. He is survived by his ex-wife Mary Meyer, with whom he created two daughters.

Jack was an only child and was steadfast in his friendships. His thoughtfulness, equanimity, and generosity made him a treasured friend and father. His daughters will tell you that he always knew how to make them feel loved and special and they suspect his friends felt similarly.

Jack led a life rich in the things that mattered to him. Friendships, his true loves David and Jorge, time with his daughters, and animals, and a sincere appreciation for creative expression. He enjoyed life. He supported the people, causes, and things he believed in. He completed the AIDs ride in 1997 and was in Washington D.C. for the showing of the AIDs quilt. When the exhibit came to Chicago in 1998, he oversaw preparing the dormant Navy Pier space for the exhibit, recruiting a bunch of friends to clean up the old sheds, which were filthy. He took his daughters to see it.

He was preceded in death by David Sikon, his partner of 32 years on April 8, 2010. Despite this tragic loss, Jack continued to embrace life and pursue happiness, leaning into his friendships and making new ones. At the age of 74, he hired a personal trainer and brought home a puppy. He ushered countless plays.

He also decided to visit New Orleans - a place that had always called to him. He liked it so well that he spent winters there. With the encouragement of friends, he joined a Krewe. Krewes are clubs in New Orleans that sponsor and ride on floats during Mardi Gras. Jack was a member of the Krewe of King Arthur and rode on a parade float many times. He enjoyed New Orleans to the fullest celebrating his 80th birthday with his family around him. He would host friends at his rented home in the Marigny neighborhood bordering the Fresh Quarter. Jack shared his passions and joys and they multiplied.

Throughout his life, Jack welcomed houseguests and roommates with open arms. From roommate #1, Bob Doughty, whom he met at his first job after college, to Albert (last name unknown), a costume designer who created a 6' 10" tall panda costume, to a mean-spirited cat named Austin, and most recently Michael Schoenig of the Lyric Opera, who lived at Newport for several years, and whom he called family.

Jack was a patron of the arts and filled his home with the work of living artists of many genres, including a homo-erotic art collection he displayed proudly. He was an astute buyer and purchased work by Robert Mapplethorpe and Tom of Finland before they gained notoriety. He took to heart the mantra, "Fear No Art." He loved the theater, and as a volunteer usher, saw countless live dance, music, and theater performances in Chicago. He enjoyed small independent theater, but also appreciated the grandeur and spectacle of a Broadway Show. Some years, he saw upwards of 150 performances. He was the volunteer coordinator for Steppenwolf ushers for years and served as Board President of The Saints, Chicago's primary organization for volunteer theater ushers.

He was a member of the exclusive Ladies Who Lunch and a longtime member of the social club Chicago Prime Timers, after an early stint as President. Longtime friend Ken Frank recalls that Jack and David were famous for hosting the annual Chicago Prime Timers Halloween Party, "At one party, Jack came dressed as a mummy. By the end of the night, he was mostly unwrapped!" And then there were the New Buffalo barbeques and New Orleans-themed events under the L tracks, "The stuff of legend," says David Zak, current President of Chicago Prime Timers.

Jack was an animal lover, who had six dogs—not at once— (DJ, Blackie, Lita, Tigger, Sarah & Nola). Late apologies to anyone who was bitten by DJ back in the day. He leaves behind two Golden Retrievers, Sarah, and Nola, in the loving care of husband Jorge. Some may not know but years ago, Jack bred and hand-raised cockatiels, sun conures, lorikeets, and lovebirds. The sun conures were very loud very early in the morning. He owned a myna bird named Buddy who was taught to say, "You sexy hunk." The bird also sneezed, laughed, and coughed exactly like Jack. He had a baby toucan named Howard. His daughters have fond memories of breaking into side-splitting laughter at his two-flat on Washtenaw with dogs and birds as comedic relief.

One cannot talk about Jack without highlighting his love of travel. It would be daunting to try and recount his many trips. He pursued his travel dreams with organization and joy. Toto Tours were some of his favorite trips in later years. After he turned 80, he climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Australia. He loved the rich culture of the great cities of the world— the art, the food, and, of course, the friends he made everywhere he went. For many years, New York was a favorite city he visited again and again. He said that if he had been younger, he might have moved to New York (We were glad he stayed in Chicago).

When he graduated from college, his parents bought him a 1959 red convertible Corvette, but he never cared about cars. Once he retired, his little Datsun also retired and he took public transportation. Jack was a true city person, spending his childhood in a brown brick bungalow with his parents and grandmother—until they moved to Arlington Heights when he was in high school. After college, he moved back to the city and never left.

As for work, it was not so important to him. He had different jobs— from early work in mainframe computers to driving a taxi, to being a programmer at Wieboldt's department store above the State Street store, to his last career selling real estate for Century 21. In his last weeks of life, a palliative care doctor asked Jack what was important to him. He answered, "Relationships."

So, here's to Jack, who loved and was loved. You will be missed. Thank you for the beautiful memories.