Jack Sheridan, son in law of character actor J. Carroll Naish
deb...@comcast.net
Sheridan, Jack
Jack Rockwell Sheridan, Irish Catholic, 79, of Kailua-Kona, HI; San
Carlos, CA; Palm Springs, CA; La Jolla, CA; and Los Angeles, CA, died
October 13, 2005, in his home in Hawaii from a long and heroic battle
with throat cancer. He was born February 5, 1926, to James Sheridan and
Beverly Maybell Schwepp in Los Angeles, California. Jack, in his youth,
attended two military schools for a total of eleven years. He graduated
high school from San Rafael Military Academy as the highest ranking
cadet officer. Afterwards, in the 40's, he enlisted in the U.S. Army
Air Corps as a pilot. At the end of World War II Jack R. Sheridan,
using the GI bill, attended the University of Southern California and
Arizona State. During his life he became a successful businessman who
held titles as a contractor and investor, and became a great potentate
of storytelling, fresh wit and jest. Affiliated with Stauffer Chemical
Company, Jack sat as vice-president of the John and Beverly Stauffer
Foundation for many years and later became its president when Beverly
Stauffer, his mother and late president passed away. As a board member
and for the past 23 years as president of the John and Beverly Stauffer
Foundation, Jack was always concerned with the well-being of others.
Jack's generosity provided numerous charitable contributions for over
35 years, helping children, homeless, veterans, schools, hospitals,
communities, societies, special causes and so many other good causes
throughout the United States, it would be too lengthy to mention all of
them here. As an athlete, during the 60's and 70's, Jack loved to "run
the beach" at La Jolla Shores. On September 13, 1964 Jack Sheridan was
the Aqua Fiesta Chairman of the 33rd Annual La Jolla Rough Water Swim
and Aqua Fiesta. On many Christmas vacation opportunities, when he
lived in La Jolla, he would take his family of five children, and his
wife Elaine -- snow skiing. As a weekend warrior, and a member of the
P.O.E.T.S., Jack would play "Champagne Tennis" on Saturdays. Which ever
side lost the doubles match, they would spot the bill. Getting up at
six o'clock in the morning every day was a routine for Jack. He loved
running the beach two miles every day and then going to the gym for an
hour. He was very dedicated to his health and the health interests of
others. His personal friends were a high priority on his list, often he
got together for tennis, a round of drinks at La Jolla's Whaling Room
in the La Valencia Hotel, Arm Wrestling at the La Jolla Beach and
Tennis Club or a day at the Del Mar Race Track. He loved to listen to
the sounds of the Big Band era and share his appreciation with friends
around his home juke box. Jack loved music. He learned to play the
trumpet from Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong when he was in high school, and
later learned and loved to play the drums in the Game Room of his
Moonridge home in La Jolla. Jack R. Sheridan was a loving father to his
family and a devoted husband for 33 years to his departed wife Elaine
Naish, daughter of the late character actor J. Carroll Naish -- who has
a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. Both Jack and Elaine were single
children. Jack re-married two years after the departure of his wife
Elaine -- whose life was taken by pulmonary fibrosis. Jack always kept
a watchful eye out for his three daughters and offered a father's
advice for his two sons. As an artist, with over 200 produced
paintings, mostly water color, some acrylic and several oils, Jack had
passed some of his leisure time dabbling in self expression. Preceded
in death by his first wife, Elaine Naish, and his son, Jay "Rocky"
Rockwell, Jack is survived by his wife, Nina Stucki Sheridan -- a
loving friend and faithful devoted spouse, having been married to her
for the past ten years. Presently, he has four children and five
grandchildren to carry on his legacy. Jack was a great husband, a great
father, and great friend... a man's man. We love you Jack. Mass of
Christian Burial will be held graveside at (the time to be present will
be announced), on December 9, 2005, at the Santa Barbara Cemetery i1010
Published in the Los Angeles Times on 10/16/2005.