John M. “Jack” Poole
John M. “Jack” Poole (b.1944), Chairman of shipping and logistics firm John A. Steer Co., was called to his eternal rest on Friday, December 18th, after a courageous 14-day struggle to survive complications from the COVID 19 virus.
Son of the late Frank M. Poole and Carolyn (Leidy) Poole. Brother of Deborah (Poole) Bracken and the late Ellen (Poole) Quinn. Jack was married to his beloved Anne (Pearce) Poole from 1969 until her untimely passing in 1991. He remarried in 2009 and is survived by his loving wife, MaryAnn (“Sissy”) Ragg; daughters Elyse (Wackerman) and Natalie (Butler); step son and daughters Christina, Skip and Patricia (Greenawalt) Ragg; grandchildren James, Leo and Annie Wackerman, Mollie O’Dwyer, Parker, Lliam, Ella and Finn Greenawalt, and Britney June and Skipper Ragg; and sons in law Paul Butler, John Greenawalt and Daniel Wackerman.
Jack was raised in Philadelphia and Flourtown, PA, and attended St. Francis of Assisi Grade School, Hillcrest Jr. High, Springfield High School, West Chester University and Villanova University (MA, History). He was Assistant Head Master at the Mitchell School of Haverford, PA, before entering the family’s maritime business at the urging of his father. As President of Steer, Jack oversaw the small firm’s expansion from a single Philadelphia office to locations in New York, Philadelphia Airport, Baltimore, Norfolk and Miami. Throughout his fifty-plus-year career, Jack tirelessly served Steer’s clients, industry colleagues and employees with great pride, grit, tireless determination and integrity. Among many other honors, Jack was named the Philadelphia Port’s “Man of the Year” in 2001. He became Steer’s Chairman in 2008, and continued work in the firm until his passing. His legacy of service at Steer endures.
Jack resided in Fort Washington, PA and Brigantine, NJ. He enjoyed both social and solitary pursuits, from family gatherings and golf, to history and gardening. He most enjoyed (and vigorously indulged in) life’s simple pleasures. Jack had a larger-than-life personality—in equal parts witty, tough, kind, humble, loyal and generous. He was loved and will be missed beyond measure.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation at drlornabreen.org to support our front line medical workers.
Jack, your larger-than-life kindness and loyalty will be missed. Thank you.
Hey Jack! I enjoyed your company whenever spontaneously it occurred. Always a good story and always a good laugh. Your presence and personality will be missed! I’m a BIG fan. A good man gone way to soon! DeMo
My dear Sissy, I am so saddened by this news. My love and condolences to you and all of Jack’s family and friends.
I am so very sorry for the family’s loss!
My thoughts and prayers are with Jack’s daughters, stepdaughters and stepson, grandchildren and Sissy.
Please know I am thinking of ALL of you and praying for your comfort.
Love to all, Debbie
I ate lunch with Jack all three years at STHS. We ran Cross Country and Track together. Several years later we often shot darts at Dudley’s and the Oreland Inn. He beat me at everything but golf. The man was a flat-out good human being. RIP
So so sorry to hear of Jack’s passing. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family and the STEER extended family Jack will be missed by so many !
Please know that my thoughts are prayers are with you all at this sad time .
So sorry to Jack’s 2 beautiful daughter and the rest of your family.Jack
had one of the most
generous hearts of anyone I know you will be missed by so many friends, co workers and of course your family.
Jack was indeed a special and always welcome member of our maritime community. He and his family have created a lasting legacy. There are so many great stories to tell, but among them a night in Hamburg at the atlantic hotel playing darts with John Carr stands out. The fabric of our community is strong when people like Jack are woven in. Thank you for everything. Fair winds and following seas.
Jack was a gentleman and I always appreciated that he made time for everyone he knew. He treated everyone fairly and with kindness. His legacy as a businessman, father, friend is probably unmatched. Condolences to the family and all of his close friends and colleagues.
God rest his soul.
On December 15, as I read this quote on top of my planner page. “He who would leap high must take a long run.” — Danish Proverb — I immediately thought of Jack, who did exactly that. If anyone saw Jack “High Jump” they know that to be true. I was going to email that to him, but for some reason I hadn’t gotten around to it before I got the bad news. Jack was a special man that the Lord needed in heaven on 12/18/20. Great life for sure.
I was lucky enough to be your sister’s prom date. Always enjoyed your company at Oreland Inn and solved all the problems in the world. Rest in peace my friend.
Sincerest condolences. He was great to work with and always will appreciate all he has done.
Bless his family. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I loved Jack. He was one of the kindest, nicest, funniest and boy he loved his Philly teams. He was always such a class act and always loved to see him the conventions we have had. I have known Jack for over 40 years and never ever saw him mad or mean. Always just a great smile
and you felt like every time you got together with him, he was truly enjoying your company. He will be missed greatly. A legend has passed.
I had the pleasure of meeting Jack first in the in the early 1980’s. He always was quite a character, but when it came to business he was the ultimate professional. Thank you Jack for all your help over the years.
Rest In Peace old friend.
without a doubt, one of my favorite “meat guys” of all-time. His knowledge of our trade, his ability to create workable solutions for our Industry and his presence is what I will remember forever. Jack had a certain command about him, but in a way everyone loved Jack.
Jack, thanks for all your teachings and laughters.
Fred Sorbello.
To a great friend ! May you rest in peace !
Charlie
Jack, was always a gentleman. He made people smile. I remember the first time I made a sales call to his office in 1975. He welcomed me with open arms. The trip to Nassau with several of us from the maritime industry playing golf was so much fun. He will truly be missed. My sincere condolences to his family and also
to his second family the Steer team.
Larry Giglio
My condolences to The Great Poole family of whom Jack was so proud.His coaching and teaching the game was appreciated by so many young ball players. He will be remembered by them all. God speed coach!
John B(jack)
To Sissy, Elyse, Natalie & Family:
I will miss Jack more than words can say. Jack was like a Brother to me, and I always enjoyed being with him….Golf Vacations, Basketball games, or just watching the ball games on TV with some food and drink. Jack was a Fun and Good buddy. He made Golf Vacations Great!! He also enjoyed good competition especially if we won!
Jack had a Positive Outlook on Life, no matter what the circumstances. He loved his Wife, his Daughters, and his entire Family, his Co-Workers and his Friends. He would do anything and everything he could to help people!
Jack will be Missed Always, by everyone who knew him, including his friends at Sandy Run Country Club or anywhere he went.
SEE YOU LATER, BUDDY! LOVE, JOHN KIRBY
One of best of the best of all time. A true gentlemen and great businessmen in our industry. We all can say in our line of work that true legend has passed. May God bless the entire family during.
My deepest condolences to the family he loved so much.
I met Jack 30 years ago. He never changed, always a Gentlemen, hard working, serious, kind, honest, generous then funny, full of life and had a way of lighting up a room. His former teaching years never stopped. When we met he made sure to teach me what I needed to be successful. We loved talking Philly sports over a beer through the good and the bad years. I was horned to know Jack and I will miss his cheerfulness and friendship. He was a wonderful man and will live in my heart and memory forever.
Dear Elsie, Dan and families,
I am so sorry for your loss.
Your Friend,
Toni Asher