Obituary for John Robert "Jack" Ambrose
John Robert “Jack” Ambrose, of Sellersville, passed away on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at his residence. He was 84.
Jack was the beloved husband of the late Patricia “Patty” J. (Manzo) Ambrose for 55 years, until her death in 2016.
Born in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, he was the son of the late William and Marion (Smith) Ambrose. Jack was a graduate of St. Vincent Elementary School. As a child, Jack was an avid boxer, appearing on Golden Gloves, and later was a bit of a local dance sensation, appearing frequently on Dick Clark’s Philadelphia Bandstand. He was a 1957 graduate of North Catholic High School, Philadelphia.
Jack started his professional career with Waters Germantown Dye Company and then spent more than 20 years as an expeditor with Leeds and Northrup Corporation in Philadelphia and, later, North Wales, PA. He later transferred to Lindberg, a unit of General Signal, where he worked for a decade. In 1989 he began a 15-year career as a mechanic at Welex, Inc., of Blue Bell, PA, before retiring in 2003.
He moved from Germantown to South Perkasie in 1971 and then later to Sellersville.
An avid sports fan, Jack especially followed the Eagles and Phillies. He attended the Eagles Training Camp at Lehigh University for many years, and saw the Eagles play the New England Patriots in the very first game played in Gillette Stadium when it opened in 2002. Jack and his three sons also enjoyed a “boys’ trip” to watch a number of Phillies pre-season games in Florida in 2018.
He had also coached Pennridge Little League for several years and played briefly for St. Agnes Catholic Church in Church League softball.
He loved to travel, whether to Wildwood for summer vacation, frequent trips to visit New England, or the occasional bus tour to Canada, Niagara Falls, or Charleston, SC. He had some memorable trips to the French Riviera in 1990, to Disneyworld, FL in 1993, Carmel, CA in 1995, and England and Ireland in 2017. The trip to Ireland was especially significant, meeting and staying with distant relatives in the Galway region and exploring his Irish heritage.
After his wife Patty suffered a serious stroke in March 2015, Jack devoted himself to her care and rehabilitation. After six months of hospitalization and rehab, she lived at home with him until her death in October 2016.
Jack loved many types of music from Irish folk to big bands, and from crooners of the 1950s to Motown. He loved Wildwood, not for the beach or the boardwalk, but for the opportunity to socialize with family and friends listening to live music in one of the many outdoor venues. His favorite pastimes were relaxing in front of the TV as he watched almost anything, especially Westerns and MeTV, and for the past two years chatting with Jane Pursell, his caretaker, who helped him remain independent, safe, and comfortable in his own home.
Most of all, he treasured family. He especially loved spending time with his three sons and their families, and with his closest friends.
Jack is survived by his three sons: John J. Ambrose and his wife, Judy, of Quakertown, Timothy Ambrose and his wife, Holly, of Perkasie, and Joseph Ambrose and his wife, Carol, of Pennsburg; a granddaughter, Kaylee Ambrose; two brothers: William Ambrose, of Buckingham, and Joseph Ambrose and his wife, Patricia, of Williamsport; a sister, Patsy Rubio, of Dunedin, FL; a cousin, Joan Lutz, of Lansdale; lifelong friend, Tony LaNette, of Oreland; and his faithful companions, “Batman,” his dog, and “Sabrina,” his cat.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by four siblings, Robert, Anna, Margie, and Marion.
His Celebration of Life will be on Friday, January 13, in the Betty Meier Steeley Funeral Home, 87 North Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960, where a visitation will be held from 10 – 11 a.m., followed by a prayer and short remembrance service.
Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bucks County SPCA, P.O. Box 277,
Lahaska, PA 18931.
Jack was the beloved husband of the late Patricia “Patty” J. (Manzo) Ambrose for 55 years, until her death in 2016.
Born in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, he was the son of the late William and Marion (Smith) Ambrose. Jack was a graduate of St. Vincent Elementary School. As a child, Jack was an avid boxer, appearing on Golden Gloves, and later was a bit of a local dance sensation, appearing frequently on Dick Clark’s Philadelphia Bandstand. He was a 1957 graduate of North Catholic High School, Philadelphia.
Jack started his professional career with Waters Germantown Dye Company and then spent more than 20 years as an expeditor with Leeds and Northrup Corporation in Philadelphia and, later, North Wales, PA. He later transferred to Lindberg, a unit of General Signal, where he worked for a decade. In 1989 he began a 15-year career as a mechanic at Welex, Inc., of Blue Bell, PA, before retiring in 2003.
He moved from Germantown to South Perkasie in 1971 and then later to Sellersville.
An avid sports fan, Jack especially followed the Eagles and Phillies. He attended the Eagles Training Camp at Lehigh University for many years, and saw the Eagles play the New England Patriots in the very first game played in Gillette Stadium when it opened in 2002. Jack and his three sons also enjoyed a “boys’ trip” to watch a number of Phillies pre-season games in Florida in 2018.
He had also coached Pennridge Little League for several years and played briefly for St. Agnes Catholic Church in Church League softball.
He loved to travel, whether to Wildwood for summer vacation, frequent trips to visit New England, or the occasional bus tour to Canada, Niagara Falls, or Charleston, SC. He had some memorable trips to the French Riviera in 1990, to Disneyworld, FL in 1993, Carmel, CA in 1995, and England and Ireland in 2017. The trip to Ireland was especially significant, meeting and staying with distant relatives in the Galway region and exploring his Irish heritage.
After his wife Patty suffered a serious stroke in March 2015, Jack devoted himself to her care and rehabilitation. After six months of hospitalization and rehab, she lived at home with him until her death in October 2016.
Jack loved many types of music from Irish folk to big bands, and from crooners of the 1950s to Motown. He loved Wildwood, not for the beach or the boardwalk, but for the opportunity to socialize with family and friends listening to live music in one of the many outdoor venues. His favorite pastimes were relaxing in front of the TV as he watched almost anything, especially Westerns and MeTV, and for the past two years chatting with Jane Pursell, his caretaker, who helped him remain independent, safe, and comfortable in his own home.
Most of all, he treasured family. He especially loved spending time with his three sons and their families, and with his closest friends.
Jack is survived by his three sons: John J. Ambrose and his wife, Judy, of Quakertown, Timothy Ambrose and his wife, Holly, of Perkasie, and Joseph Ambrose and his wife, Carol, of Pennsburg; a granddaughter, Kaylee Ambrose; two brothers: William Ambrose, of Buckingham, and Joseph Ambrose and his wife, Patricia, of Williamsport; a sister, Patsy Rubio, of Dunedin, FL; a cousin, Joan Lutz, of Lansdale; lifelong friend, Tony LaNette, of Oreland; and his faithful companions, “Batman,” his dog, and “Sabrina,” his cat.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by four siblings, Robert, Anna, Margie, and Marion.
His Celebration of Life will be on Friday, January 13, in the Betty Meier Steeley Funeral Home, 87 North Main Street, Sellersville, PA 18960, where a visitation will be held from 10 – 11 a.m., followed by a prayer and short remembrance service.
Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bucks County SPCA, P.O. Box 277,
Lahaska, PA 18931.