John Joseph 'Jack' Burt

John Joseph “Jack” Burt, of Sparta, died at Newton Medical Center on Nov. 15, 2019. He was born on July 31st, 1936 in Paterson , New Jersey. The son of Clare Fritz Burt and George Burt. John was raised in Butler, New Jersey where he graduated from St. Anthony’s Elementary School and Butler High School where he distinguished himself in football, swimming and as a vocal soloist receiving a scholarship to Rutgers University where he played football. Jack was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. Jack received his BA from Rutgers in Psychology .

In 1958 Jack married his sweetheart Phyllis B. Burt with whom he had recently celebrated his 61st anniversary) and moved to Glen Wild Lake in Bloomingdale, New Jersey where he was an active Board member and President of the Glen Wild Lake Country Club for over a decade . Jack proudly served as a volunteer fireman for many years with the Hook and Ladder Company of the Bloomingdale Volunteer Fire Department. Following a brief period as an underwriter with Prudential Insurance Company, Jack joined the faculty of the Butler Public Schools as a science teacher in their middle and high school where he participated actively in the school community as both an Assistant Varsity Football Coach and as advisor to Interact , the school’s charitable organization dedicated to fostering interactions with area children’s orphanages and children in foster care, a cause dear to Jack’s heart. John then embarked on a second career in the screen printing and polymeric industry as a sales executive with Svecia International and Precision Screen Machines. Jack was a cofounder of Electropolymeric Industries in Hurffville, NJ.

Jack retired to Sparta NJ and worked for several years at Rolling Green’s Golf Club where he enjoyed connecting with the Sparta Community. Jack enjoyed travel especially to National Parks and Cape Cod. He was an avid fisherman, New York Giants fan, pet owner and “Jeopardy” watcher. Jack was the beloved father of Jacquelyn J. Burt of Sparta, NJ and to son-in law Frank J. Tanzola. John’s joy in life was his two grandchildren, U.S. Army Captain Alexandra Leigh Tanzola and first year law student Harrison Jack Tanzola .

Jack was the eldest of six brothers and is survived by his beloved brothers Frank Burt of Chester NH ,George Jr. of Florida (predeceased) NH William Burt of North Eastham Massachusetts , Richard Burt of Michigan and Bernard Burt of North Eastham Massachusetts as well as many loving sisters in law, nieces and nephews and his beloved cousin, Gerald McMinn of Pompton Lakes ,New Jersey.

Visitation will be at the Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main St, Sparta NJ on Tuesday Nov. 19, 2019 from 4 to 8 p.m. with a service at 7 p.m.. Donations in Jack’s memory may be made to Saint Peter’s Orphanage for Boys, 170 Diamond Spring Road, Denville, New Jersey 07834.