John Charles "Jack" Alger, Jr., 86, of Berlin, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on November 14. Born in Ludlow, Massachusetts, Jack grew up in Springfield, where he developed a lifelong love of the outdoors andadventure that would shape his life. He was the son ofthe late John Alger Sr. and Tanya Alger (nee Shinkevich).
Jack graduated from Springfield High School and went on to earn a degree in business from the University of Vermont. He began his career at Bryant Grinder Chucking before joining Fellows Gear Shaper. His professional path later brought him to the Chicago area, where he worked for AEC Companies for 18 years, rising from sales to Vice President of Sales through hard work and exceptional leadership. In 1982, Jack;purchased Koch Plastics Equipment and relocated his family to New Jersey. He led Koch-Alger & Associates until 2000, when he sold the business to his son, J.C., whocontinues to run it today.
Jack lived a full and passionate life. He was an avid upland game-bird hunter and a dedicated member of the Weimaraner Club of America. His beloved dog, Duffy,achieved national champion status for four consecutive years under Jack's skilled field-trial guidance. He loved fly fishing and deep-sea fishing from his boat, the P-Jays, out of Cape May, New Jersey. Jack was also a world-class skier who taught skiing in his youth in Vermont, and he had adeep love for deer hunting trips to Middlesex, with lifelong friends.
Jack also had a true green thumb. He took pride in maintaining a productive vegetable garden and carefully tended orchids. His gentle nature extended towildlife as well; he was known for nursing injured birds back to health by hand. A devoted golfer, Jack spent many happy years as a member of Tavistock CountryClub in Haddonfield, New Jersey. Over the course of his golfmg life, he recorded three holes-in-one, including one at the world-renowned Pine Valley. After retiring in 2000, Jack and Paula moved to Florida, where he formed cherished friendships,especially with his trusted golf partners, who became like family.
Jack is survived by his loving wife, Paula Alger (nee Hoszkiewicz), and his two children, Jacki Naddeo (nee Alger) and her husband, Patrick Naddeo; and J.C. Alger and his wife, Ginny Alger (nee Schaum). He was the proud grandfather of DE J.J.Naddeo and his wife, Dr. Jocelyn Wardlaw, and their daughter, Georgia Rose; grandson Kyle Naddeo and his significant other, Lisa Holman; and grandsons Jake Alger and Max Alger. Jack is also survived by his brother, Bob Alger, and Bob's wife, Gale Alger (nee Bishop), and by their son, Bobby Peter Alger, and his wife,Lindsay. He was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Jill Osborne (nee Alger),and is survived by Jill's daughters, Laura Darrah (nee Osborne) and Tara Meichtry (nee Osborne).
Jack lived a life rich with family, friendships, hard work, passion for the outdoors, and devotion to the activities he loved. His memory will live on in all who knew and devotion to the activities he loved. His memory will live on in all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department's Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund and/or to The Michael J.Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. In keeping with the family's wishes, a private memorial service will be held, and no public services are planned.