After a life of love and quiet grace, John H. "Jack" Enos of Burlington, MA has passed.
Behind every name is a life, and behind every life are the people who loved it.
Grief is love with nowhere left to go.
John H. "Jack" Enos, age 73, passed away peacefully at his home in Ft. Myers on Thursday, April 30th following a brief but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was the devoted husband of Kathleen M. (Boylan) Enos, with whom he had shared over 50 years of marriage.
Born in Jamaica Plain on July 5, 1952, he was the second of six children to the late Herbert C. and Virginia E. (Chute) Enos. Jack was raised in Jamaica Plain and graduated from Jamaica Plain High School with the Class of 1970. From a young age he was always surrounded by family and close friends. Whether it was driving north to Burlington to visit extended family, camping every year with his parents and siblings, or just hanging around the neighborhood on Green Street - from the beginning his loved ones were the center of his world. He spent countless hours painting and doing carpentry work with his uncle when he was younger, a skill that he fostered into a true passion throughout the years.
In 1973 Jack met his beloved wife Kathy at a going away party for his brother David. It wasn't long before the two were married and settled down in their first home together in Wrentham. Several years later they welcomed their first daughter Katie, and shortly after, Jack's job brought them to Ada, Oklahoma. He spent many years working for Look, while also earning his master's degree in business from Oklahoma City University. After about 6 years, another job opportunity and a longing to be close to family again brought them to Londonderry, NH, where they welcomed their second daughter, Shannon.
When Jack wasn't working, it could be almost guaranteed he was doing one of four things: reading, cooking, carpentry work, or devoting his time and attention to the people he loved. He enjoyed helping friends, family, and even employers with household remodels, painting jobs, and even complicated projects that required a creative touch. He was an unbelievably gifted carpenter who took a tremendous amount of pride in his work. A true perfectionist at heart, you could always rest assured that Jack was more worried about the finished product than the person receiving his help.
When his wife was going back to school, Jack was introduced to another passion due to sheer necessity of having to be the parent who cooked dinner every night. It started with simple meals, but turned into print outs from cooks.com and endless recipes and hours watching Rachel Ray. He spoiled his family with homemade soups, sauces, world famous ham, egg and cheese sandwiches, and countless other meals that truly turned his house into a home. Whenever he had time to wait, or time to relax after the meal was done, you could find Jack in his recliner with his latest James Patterson or Tony Hillerman novel in hand.
Above all else, Jack was an endlessly devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. The love he had for his own children was met tenfold when his grandson and namesake, Jack, arrived. The two truly had a special bond, and he was an ever present and fun-loving Papa. Following his diagnosis, his biggest regret was that he wouldn't be able to watch him grow and support him through all life's challenges like he had with his daughters. From day one, Jack was the kind of man who worried about everyone else more than himself. A true gentleman, he was innately selfless, kind, and compassionate with the people he loved most. Although he wasn't a man of many words, you could never question how deeply his love ran for you. He made it obvious with every move he made in life, just how much concern and adoration he had for his family and friends.
Along with his wife Kathy, Jack is survived by his adoring daughters, Katie Thompson and her husband Ryan of Northborough, and Shannon Enos and her fiancé Michael Law of Burlington; his cherished grandson and namesake, Jack Thompson of Northborough; his dear brother, David Enos and his wife Nancy of Jacksonville, FL; his sisters-in-law, Ann Enos of Seakonk, Barbara Husman of Washington, PA, and Patsy Boylan of Plainville; his beloved nieces and nephews, Greg Slaney and his wife Bonnie, Adam Slaney and his wife Anna, the late Kelly Koon, and her husband David, Mark Enos and his wife Stephanie, Eileen Lindquist, William Enos and his wife Kristen, Amanda Nitchman, Virginia Enos and her husband Shawn, Casey Malys and her husband Kaz, Danielle McKenney and her husband Dave, and Jennifer Enos; his loving cousins and friends, Mary and Otto Kehrmeyer, as well as many other dear relatives and close friends.
Jack was the brother of the late Linda, Ron, Daryl, and Steven Enos. He was deeply affected by the loss of his siblings, but is surely hosting a cribbage tournament with them all now.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation on Friday, May 8th from 4 pm until 8 pm at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington. His Funeral Service will be held in the Funeral Home on Saturday, May 9th at 11:30 am. Burial Services will take place Monday, May 11th at 11 am at New Calvary Cemetery, Mattapan. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations in Jack's honor may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Center.
Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of John H. "Jack" Enos.
