Annual Newsletter
Jaco Jots
Vol. 2003 No. 1 January 2003
Information is needed on Navy man in “The Great White Fleet”
R. Jaco was in the U.S. Navy during the period of 16 Dec 1907 to 22 Feb 1909 when a fleet called “The Great White Fleet” sailed around the world. These 16 battleships, with 14,000 sailors was a site to see at the many ports-of-call in the numerous countries they visited. One of the battleships was the USS Minnesota. He is listed only as R. Jaco. If anyone can identify this Jaco it will be greatly appreciated.
Career Soldier Dies
Paul M. Jaco, 84, of Evansville, Indiana, died November 18, 2002, at his residence. Paul graduated from Central High School in 1936. He attended the University of Maryland. He was a retired U.S. Army Major, having served in WWII and in the Vietnam War as a Military Advisor.
After he retired from the military in 1965, Paul was a civil servant. Paul did volunteer work at St. Mary's Hospital for 20 years. He was a member of VFW 1114. He was a member of the Retired Officer Association. Paul was a member of Masonic Lodge 8 in Anchorage, Alaska, Evansville Valley Scottish Rite, and Hadi Temple Shrine. He was a member of St. Lucas United Church of Christ. He was a friend of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
Paul brought a smile to everyone he met. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife and soulmate of 61 years, Ruth (Herbert) Jaco on May 6, 2000, and his brothers, Marion, Bert and Ray Jaco. The family would like to extend special gratitude and thanks to Dr. Patrick Flamion and staff and Dr. Anthony Stephens and staff.
Paul is survived by his niece and care giver, Susie Jaco Griese of Evansville, Ind.; sisters-in-law, Lucille Jaco, Alice Jaco and Doris Dixon; nephews, Steve Herbert and his wife Rita and Mike Hoffman and his wife Barb; great-nieces and nephews, B.J., Paula, Kerri, Tim, Chris, Dan and Becky; and special friends, Sharon Griese and Debbie Sater. Note: He was in the “John, Jr.” Jaco line. He also was awarded the “Oldest Man in Attendance” trophy at the Jaco Reunion held in St. Louis, MO in July of 2001.
Prose Writings By Roger Dale Jaco Published
Bell CHEVIGNY (She with PEN American Center, a non-profit incorporation, which is an affiliate of International PEN: an association of writers - poets, playwrights, essayists, editors, novelists - with centers in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia and Europe) wrote: “I never caught up with Roger, but I found his sister Gladys, who gave me permission on his behalf to print ‘Killing Time’ in my anthology, Doing Time: 25 years of PEN Prison Writing, which Arcade Publishing will bring out in May, 1999. I thank you for steering me to the family and hope you enjoy the poem and one other by Roger that I have turned up...Prose Poems And Proverbs _ Roger Jaco:
(#1) They fed me gunpowder upon my arrival, then threw me into a damn damp cell alone with Mr. Gideon's Bible.
(#2) The punishment did not fit the crime. Now I cry for Justice. I pray she does not come.
(#3) I saw a squirrel in my prison and I asked him why he didn't leave. It looked at me sorta funny just like James looked at the parole board after 12 years.
(#4) Killing Time by Roger Jaco: Memorial Day: This dusty May I sit in yesterday's kitchen watching the rain pound against windows that reflect poverty. Pa says the corn will grow higher than a Georgia pine and Ma sighs with relief carefully placing her knife on a mound of potato peelings. Strange how I long for those days when I was free from luxury. After Independence Day: Revolving doors: Feeling alone again and as empty as my bare cell. Longing for the hatred to return and justify my wrongs. Knowing that revenge never works. Trapped in the game waiting for my turn. Ad infinitum. Labor Day: I sit in silence listening to the katydids of a good ole September. Somewhere in the sweaty night a whippoorwill disturbs the noises of nostalgia and Kathy's freckled face returns haunting my cell, whispering softly, "Please don't rob again. We can make it." I crush my cigarette, stretch out on my bunk, and bleed to sleep. After Thanksgiving: Monday in prison, I live steel thoughts and the concrete reality of time. Keys jangle and I rise. Standing barefoot in my cell I watch Jimmy come shuffling by, shaved head, escorted by guards, followed by priest, making his way toward eternity's chair. Briefly our eyes meet and exchange a thousand screaming words: Life is too short to burn. Easter: With captured friends beneath the dull coolness of a concrete sky I sit and sweat inwardly. Drenched in bitterness, smelling of remorse, we tug and strain under laden backpacks of unwanted time. God, if only, damn it if only we could give it to the dead we could all be resurrected. 1979, Rustburg Correctional Unit 9. NOTE: Rustburg Correctional Unit 9 is located 1/2 mile East of Rustburg, VA. Out of 7 state security levels, this facility is rated at the second lowest, being "Level 1 _ High." Note: Roger passed away in Jackson, Tennessee on 3 Jun 2000. He was in the “Philip” Jaco line.
Quite A Wedding!
On 9 Feb 1999 Adda Loris GIBSON Jaco, Vitatoe sent a copy of a newspaper article telling of her wedding to Benjamin T. Jaco, Jr. She states the article was written by her father Joseph (Ray) Gibson in 1942, in Ada, OH, and was in a shopping guide - just made a few copies. He was in the printing business all his life.
BOMBER EMPLOYEE OF CURTIS-WRIGHT CO. LANDS PARATROOPER
She Helps Make The Planes And He Jumps From Them--But He Landed In Matrimony
Last Friday night, May 29, at 10:00 o'clock, Benjamin T. Jaco, Jr. of Detroit, Mich., Fort Benning Ga., and points south, came down to earth at Ada, O. in his parachute and immediately got hooked into matrimony. "It was the roughest landing I have ever experienced," were his first words spoken after the minister had said the final words that forever took away his single blessedness.
The bride, Miss Adda Loris (Pitsy) Gibson, was jubilant beyond control, just as all brides are when they suddenly realize they have "finally landed their man."
The bride, once dainty and refined, but showing signs of the strenuous Curtis-Wright factory life, surprised those who had gathered to witness the ordeal, in that she still really looked lovely and radiant. Competition was keen, however, for her kid sister, Betty Jo, who was her bridesmaid, almost stole the show with her winning smile which suddenly turned to tears at the conclusion of the ceremony.
The groom, in all his five foot four, managed to stand erect throughout the ceremony only by support of his paratrooper boots, laced extra tight, and the moral support of his best man, Robert Judson, who was unable to watch the features of the groom since he stood six feet four in his shoes. The term "best man" in this case meant nothing, for the mighty Jaco flashed a sample of his jujitsu training and everyone admitted he was number one at this party.
Guests at the wedding reception showed their true Curtis_Wright training by forming an "assembly line" that led to the back porch where the moon and things could be properly analyzed. Much interest was displayed in the punch, the five-decker wedding cake, and the modernistic remodeling of the kitchen, claimed to have been done by the father of the bride, but hard to believe since he is only an editor.
A belling through the streets of the little town of Ada brought all the natives to their windows and also awakened the night police force of one man, who says it is going to be too bad for any of them if they ever show their face here again.
It is predicted that the reaction of some of the Curtis-Wright guests is going to mean doom for some of the boys in the group. Evidently it was the first wedding ever witnessed by some of the young ladies, and did they get ideas.
When paratrooper Jaco gets back from capturing his quota of Jap and Nazi bad men, the couple expect to settle down in the United States and be just common folks like the rest of us. Their motto is "get the job done first, then we will whip the world together." Note: Benjamin T. Jaco, Jr. is in the "Luke" Jaco line and you can see a him in a snapshot in the PHOTO section of this site. Also he and a fellow paratrooper, Walter Ray Jaco, from Alabama and of the "Brooks" Jaco line compared family ties and came up with the conclusion they were not related.
Ellen Louise Jaco Passes On
I have received word that Ellen Louise Jaco of Bullhead, AZ succumbed to death on 4 Jan 2003, resulting from a heart attack in her sleep. She was born in Redlands, San Bernardino Co., CA on 6 Sep 1943 to Charles Lafayette “Fate” Jaco and Ruby Etta (Rusche) Jaco. She had the following brothers and sisters: Thomas Earl, Floyd David, Bonnie Sue, and half-brother Loyd Charles. Ellen was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and for the past ten years she spent a lot of her time contacting her kin within the “Andrew” Jaco line and seeking family data from them. I never had the opportunity to meet her, but enjoyed numerous telephone conversations with her and received many letters as she passed on data she collected.
Outstanding Musician - Miss Margaret Jaco
The following was copied from a flyer: Miss Marjorie Jaco, who was the first woman to conduct in the Royal Festival Hall London, is acknowledged to be one of England's leading woman conductors. She is also well known as a recitalist and lecturer.
Soloists who have performed under her baton include Isoble Baillie (with whom she has worked extensively), Elsie Suddaby, Astra Desmond, Heddle Nash, Roy Henderson, Geraint Jones, to name only a few, and it is interesting to note that Kathleen Ferrier and Peter Pears had some of their earliest professional engagements with her.
Music has been composed for, and dedicated to her by Armstrong Gibbs, Gordon Jacob and Maurice Jacobson and she has collaborated in giving two piano recitals with the latter. She has rehearsed and conducted two stage productions, "Let's make and Opera" by Benjamin Britten and John Gay's "The Beggar's Opera". She was invited to take Credition Augmented Choir to Holland where an impressive 12 day recital tour was undertaken.
For close on 16 years she was organist and choirmaster at the Collegiate Church of The Holy Cross, Credition, and until her profession took her to South Africa, her performance of Bach's St. Matthew Passion was an annual event which aroused keen interest.
As an examiner for Trinity College of Music, London, Marjorie Jaco has travelled extensively, having been 3 times round the world. During these tours she has lectured in Canada, Sri Lanka, India and the Antipodes, and also given television programmes in Canada and broadcasts in New Zealand.
Another exhibit - an unidentified newspaper article: Appointed as choirmaster at Exeter church--- An unusual appointment for a woman is that of organist and choirmaster. One who has recently accepted an invitation for such an appointment is Miss Marjorie Jaco, of Buckland Filleigh, who travels from her home to work at St. James's Church, Exeter. A Devonian, Miss Jaco was a pupil of Sir Ernest Bullock, and says that she owes practically everything to him. Sir Ernest was principal of the Royal College of Music.
Miss Jaco also trained under Sir Thomas Armstrong, principal of the R.C.M., and the late Sir Stanley Marchant, one-time organist at St. Paul's Cathedral. Her first appointment was to St. Swithun's Church, Woodbury, near Exeter, as organist and there she also spent many years with the village choir.
The rector of the parish then was Fulford, whose musical family helped the choir considerably before Miss Jaco became choirmistress.
IN SOUTH AFRICA
After 12 years at Woodbury, Miss Jaco resigned to become organist at Credition Parish Church in 1945. She stayed there for 15 years, and then left for South Africa, to be musical director of a large girls public school in Johannesburg for two years.
Returning to England three years ago, she took a lecturing post with the Kent Rural Music School. While there she taught music appreciation in the county mental hospital, and trained a choir at Maidstone prison. Recently she has been studying harpsichord music.
She has given many recitals, but her other main interest is conducting and whenever possible jumps at the chance of conducting Bach's St. Matthew or St. John Passion. She recently conducted a public performance in Maidstone Parish Church of Haydn's Imperial Mass.
Miss Jaco said that at Exeter she will be training a choir of 30 men and boys, assisted occasionally by some women. She was attracted to the church by the type of worship there, and liked the look and sound of the organ. She takes over from Mr. Harold John Lian, of 25, Elmside, Exeter, who was organist and choirmaster at St. James's for 50 years.
Another exhibit - an unidentified newspaper article: Exeter has new choir. Its name will almost certainly be Concors Musica, and members hope to perform Mendelssohn's Elijah in December.
It is the third choir formed under Miss Marjorie Jaco, a teacher and musician who ran choirs at Alphington and Crediton years ago. Miss Jaco used professional singers for many productions, and gave public engagements early in their careers to the late Kathleen Ferrier and Peter Pears.
Mr. Kenneth Bareham, of 16, Bowhay Lane, Exeter, is acting as secretary for the new choir. He is one of the original Alphington choir - which existed until 20 years ago. Another member of that choir, and of the new group, is Ald. Walter Daw, a former Mayor and Sheriff of Exeter.
Mr. Bareham told me that more than a dozen people attended a meeting recently to form the choir. "We know about 30 people are with us, and each of us will bring in additional members. We have great hopes for the future," he said.
"I don't think we can have too much music or too many choirs in Exeter - and many of us who sang with Miss Jaco have not sung since."
Miss Jaco, who lives at The Glebe House, Buckland Filleigh, is now organist and choirmaster of St. James's Church, Exeter. After running the choral society at Alphington she became organist and choirmaster at Holy Cross Church, Crediton, for 15 years.
Music lovers in Exeter will remember the oratorios performed by Alphington and Credito societies. Miss Jaco said one of her aims for the Concors Musica was an annual performance of the Bach St. Matthew Passion but this will not come in 1967 as it is being performed in the cathedral. This year's production, incidentally, will be in aid of the cathedral campaign.
The Alfs, I gather, originated from Alphington Women's Institute choir in the mid-1930's. They were a successful choir in competitions, and it was decided to expand and become a mixed choir. Dr. Vaughan Williams conducted their first major performance. 2/11/03
Double Heartaches In St. Louis
James Wilmer “Jim” and Jeanne Jaco of St. Louis, MO have experienced considerable heartache during the most recent months. They raised three children and this past July they lost the youngest, Jeffrey Michael (1957-2002) due to an automobile accident and on 4 January 2003 they lost the oldest, Janet Catherine (1952-2003) to cancer. “Jan” spent her last 77 days in the hospital. “Jeff” left two children: Michael Patrick and Jennifer Marie Jaco. “Jan” did not have children. Each of these mentioned were in attendance at our Jaco Reunion in St. Louis in Jul 2001. Jeanne is well known amongst the Jacos who have attended the reunions as the “caramel lady” as she makes the best and has caused several of us to gain a little weight over the years. Their address is: 1734 Leaf Crest Dr., Hazelwood, MO 63042. 2/11/03
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