John “Jack” Kemple

Through his eighties and into his nineties, whenever Jack was asked how he was doing, he would reply that if he felt any better he’d rejoin the Army. It was his wit and positive attitude that made him fun to be around. Jack always was a generous provider for his family. As a young man he drove 240 miles a day from Cumbola,Pa.where he was born,rn to work as a pipe fitter for local union 322. He’d eventually move with his family to Beverly in 1952 to shorten the trip. In Beverly he kept his eye on everything, talked with everyone and served on council in the 1950’s. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Knights of Columbus. rnrnHe served in the army air corps in WWII as a navigator on a B24 in North Africa and was most notably involved in the Polaski bombing campaign.rnYouthful flirting led to a 64 year marriage to his wife, Dorothy; their union would be blessed by a son, Kenneth (Linda) and later by his grandson and lunch partner, Keith.rnrnFriends and family will gather Saturday from 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, Beverly where a memorial mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.