Jack "JackM" Manderino

My condolances to his family.

This one hurts. We had a lot of discussions over the years on the board, a few of them in disagreement, many more in agreement, but always with mutual respect. In person at the jam we always got along well and he became one of the ones I looked forward to seeing the most every year. When anyone, including me, got too serious he had a way of tossing in a joke and making everyone realize how ridiculous the discussion had gotten. His loss will absolutely be felt. RIP Jack. May the waters always be in prime shape on the other side
 
jayL said:
Jack was a bit of an intimidating guy before I first met him, I guess. I was like 21 and stupid, whereas he was always seemingly principled, intelligent, and quick to bust balls. I made it a point to meet him when I first encountered him at a jam but also made it a point to keep my distance around all of those stuffy old men, especially those with JDs. Probably the second jam I attended, I snuck away to my car roll a joint or two before the evening fishing. Sure enough, here comes Jack, and he’s got me dead to rights. He asks how I’m doing and I stammered a bit about the weather. Jack took a tone that struck me as serious, then suggested we fish together that evening - at the time I was freaked out but figured he had to be messing with me, so I agreed. We fished march browns in the mud and talked about the world. He was as clueless as I was on the fly rod and we shared plenty of fun common interests.

We probably fished together dozens of times after that and hung around various muddy campgrounds even more. He once asked me what I thought the essence of life was on a hike out of Penns - the breath of god, in his words. Perhaps he knows the answer now.

Jack was the funniest guy around here in the days I was around, and it’s not even close. Smartest, too, and that’s less close. The man coached me through traffic tickets and smarter speeding, frugal fishing (and drinking), philosophy, and life in general. He taught me not to fear the check engine light even in the deepest east coast boonies. I spent my last night in PA in a guest room at his place and got to meet his stray cat. We kept in touch long after I left the east, though I regret how bad I am at keeping up with that.

Jack is the source of some of the best stories I’ve got to tell. I’m thankful that I’ll always have those. The man is a legend.

Thanks, Jack. I’ll have a glass of crown for ya, but I won’t be able to get it for wholesale price at the bar like you showed me all those years ago - that’s a move only you could pull off.
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The glass of crown made me smile. For about a decade, I have had a reel sitting in a Crown Royal bag and I keep thinking "where the heck did I get this bag from!?"

Jack just randomly handed it to me at the first Jam I attended. Completely forgot about it til now.
 
If there is just one takeaway from this post, it solidifies the fact that this forum is a community. We may see each other only once a year or perhaps far less often. We may never meet in person and only share an online presence. No matter how you look at it, this community is a collective of a LOT of different personalities and backgrounds that all come together with one interest - to chase fish with a fly. Glad I got a chance to be in his presence this past Jam around a fire at the campground. Life is short and you just never know when the last time you see someone will be.
 
I got to talk with him just briefly friday night at the jam, - he was rather busy engaging with his son and his GF too.
Unfortunately, I ended up leaving early the next morning - a day earlier than I had planned,

But still vividly remember him doing a little shuffle around the campfire, while Shakey played a Dylan tune.
How appropriate........
 
tomgamber said:
BTW, I live fairly close so I think I'm going to stop by after 3. I will let Geno, Connie and Joe know that we are all thinking about them and Jack. And sharing great stories.
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See you there Tom.
 
Words cannot express. My first trip to the letort, Erie steelhead multiple times, the J , and so many others,,,; the fishing always became secondary. His insight, compassion, advice, and friendship were what truly made each trip special! Rest easy jackM… with a tear in my eye and a smile from the memories, I’m raising a bourbon in your honor tonight!
 
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jayL said:
Jack was a bit of an intimidating guy before I first met him, I guess. I was like 21 and stupid, whereas he was always seemingly principled, intelligent, and quick to bust balls. I made it a point to meet him when I first encountered him at a jam but also made it a point to keep my distance around all of those stuffy old men, especially those with JDs. Probably the second jam I attended, I snuck away to my car roll a joint or two before the evening fishing. Sure enough, here comes Jack, and he’s got me dead to rights. He asks how I’m doing and I stammered a bit about the weather. Jack took a tone that struck me as serious, then suggested we fish together that evening - at the time I was freaked out but figured he had to be messing with me, so I agreed. We fished march browns in the mud and talked about the world. He was as clueless as I was on the fly rod and we shared plenty of fun common interests.

We probably fished together dozens of times after that and hung around various muddy campgrounds even more. He once asked me what I thought the essence of life was on a hike out of Penns - the breath of god, in his words. Perhaps he knows the answer now.

Jack was the funniest guy around here in the days I was around, and it’s not even close. Smartest, too, and that’s less close. The man coached me through traffic tickets and smarter speeding, frugal fishing (and drinking), philosophy, and life in general. He taught me not to fear the check engine light even in the deepest east coast boonies. I spent my last night in PA in a guest room at his place and got to meet his stray cat. We kept in touch long after I left the east, though I regret how bad I am at keeping up with that.

Jack is the source of some of the best stories I’ve got to tell. I’m thankful that I’ll always have those. The man is a legend.

Thanks, Jack. I’ll have a glass of crown for ya, but I won’t be able to get it for wholesale price at the bar like you showed me all those years ago - that’s a move only you could pull off.
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He had a clunker Oldsmobile or something similar.
 
albatross said:
Maurice snuck a dry fly onto Jack's lapel. Fitting. Sound track was all Dylan.
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Actually I asked Gino if it was OK....It was an Adams catskill. He asked if I had any ants? I said Jack will have to figure it out. Haha
 
tomgamber said:
JackM clearly had lots of friends. Was kind of Maurice to drive all the way out to say good bye. Albatross and RyanH also shared condolences with his family. He led a full life.

To Jack! 🍻
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I was more than happy to make the trip. I even stopped on the way out to PGH on Saturday to fish the crik we first met. I was alone, except for Jack, with the gorgeous sunshine glimmering through the trees on the Molly Gordon pool. It was very fitting, I got to say goodbye where we met.
 

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Maurice said:
Actually I asked Gino if it was OK....It was an Adams catskill. He asked if I had any ants? I said Jack will have to figure it out. Hah
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Wondering if someone might try to slip a bottle in with him
He would have gotten a kick out of that...........
 
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