Obituary of John Rawlins

John "Jack" Rawlins, 91 of Vineland, Pioneer, inventor, innovator, historical scholar, marketeer, raconteur extraordinaire, and a great lover of his family and friends has passed out of our realm and into a much better one! Jack ironically passed away at 9am on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2020, something very dear to this heart. Since Jack was the master of so many different skills, his obituary is dedicated to highlight most of the different fields that he excelled in! FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Jack's love for his wife Fran, his daughter Kim and granddaughters, Katherine and Elizabeth, plus all the dozens of family members was extraordinary!! His beloved wife, Fran, of 60 years is all the Jack thought of and spoke about following her death. They were a dynamic couple that were constantly in love! His daughter Kim and he were like two peas in a pod; They were inseparable - especially in the past few years. They had countless adventures driving all around the region taking photos and making comments on the places they visited. The famous "Jack attack" photo became his hallmark image – wherever he went he would raise his arms up like a mighty eagle - and he was renowned for his great commentaries on those adventures. Jack's nephews, John and Robert, were constantly in his mind for their faithfulness and love. John Rawlins was Jack's first nephew and namesake. Jack's brother, Ben, was an automotive and electronics genius. His other nephew Robert Rawlins truly followed in his uncle's path of storytelling and historic documentation. Jack's family includes, granddaughters Katherine and Elizabeth; brother-in-law Francis Dondero and his children, Steven Dondero and his partner Greg Whitmire, Fran's daughter, Nancy, and her husband Ken, and their children, Caroline and Patrick. Nephew Robert Rawlins and his wife, Nancy and daughter, Emily; John Rawlins, wife Sandy and their children Maria (Rawlins) Ridge, her son Austin; Erich Rawlins and wife Christy and their children, Pheyton and Rheese; Adriane Rawlins Warren, husband Stephen and daughter, Samantha. Brother-in-jaw, Joe Guida, his wife (deceased sister of Jack, Trudy Rawlins), their children Jay Guida and Jill (Guida) Dorsett, husband Chuck. Tracey Morgado and her son, Connor, saw Jack as a father and grandfather, respectively. Jack loved them like true family. Tony Esposito, Annette Lipartito and John Bernardini were three of Jack's best, long-term friends. Jerry Lukas and Jack spent many hours together over the past last six years, creating many happy moments together, including 1000s of photos and videos. RACONTEUR/HUMORIST/CREATIVE WRITER/POET Nephew John said of Jack: "He learned his skills from his dad, Henry. (Who owned "Harry's Place", a local bar.) They crafted their storytelling skills from listening to the customers, and to Henry. Jack went on to sharpen his skills, humorous anecdotes and risqué limericks through his buddy and mentor in the navy. Jack excelled in Vineland High School track and football. He was the first in his family to go to college. Jack went to journalism school at Temple University - and graduated by commuting over a number of years, setting a commuter record. He went on to make a great impression with his marketing and writing skills with Namero Advertising and for his close and dear friend, Mark Soifer, at Mark Forest Advertising Agency. Jack had a very successful career as copywriter, promoter and creative writer for numerous agencies: Keen Manufacturing; Vineland Times Journal, LaSalle University promoter, and The Fox Company; copy writer for Biovance (an industry pioneer in cattle health). Jack wrote extensively for articles on Facebook and other Internet sites – plus he managed his own writing websites. Jack's love of history was evidenced in his commitment to the Vineland Historical Society and his love for poetry with friend, Nancy Steelman's Poetry Group. IDEAPHORIA: Ideaphoria – the ability to come up with a lot of different ideas – was one of Jack's most brilliant aptitudes. He had such a phenomenal photogenic memory. He was full of ideas no matter what field he was working! He came up with many brilliant ideas from his favorite hangout, the Pickwickian Tavern and Smokery. He had an anecdote, funny story or limerick for nearly every possible situation – hardly ever duplicating any of his stories. Jack was one of the most phenomenal storytellers and humorists known in this whole region! His writings on Facebook were constantly followed by many admirers. Jack's legacy of kindness, humility, brilliant observations and commentaries will set a highwater mark for many years to come. In his final days after his traumatic brain surgery, Jack repeatedly said, "Thank you, thank you thank you!" which showed his humility and gratitude. Jack was always a gentleman and treated everyone with respect and kind words –"A Man for All Seasons (and Sneezes)" – Jack was so loving and humorous to everyone he met – they all loved him! Joey Lyden remembers Jack who said: "Steer clear of ANTs (Automatic Negative Thinkers)." Jack made you feel like you were right there beside him – always with positive thoughts. Jack was the consummate lexicon of humor, good will, kindness and positive thinking! Jack was a Mensch of Biblical proportions! Jack will forever be in our hearts, and we will pass on his stories for years to come! Family and friends will be received on Monday, November 16, 2020 from 9am to 11am, with funeral services to follow at 11am at DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home 2755 S. Lincoln Ave., Vineland. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Vineland.