Jackson, of Highlands NJ, passed away peacefully on September 15 in Red Bank NJ, surrounded by loved ones, two days shy of his 80th birthday. He was born on September 17, 1942 in East Orange NJ, son of Margaret Sinnott and Hollis Jackson Lowe.
He attended school in Rumson NJ, in addition to Massanutten Military Academy in Woodstock VA. Jack was a successful multi-sport athlete and had a large collection of trophies. He shared a dresser with brother Bruce, who described the trophies on top as appearing like a city skyline, with barely enough room for Bruce’s small trophy, won for a ballroom dance competition! By far his best was a tall floor trophy for winning the local Junior Olympics.
Upon graduation in 1960, Jack became a sports writer for the Red Bank Register, a job he loved, working alongside his step-father, ‘Hy Spotting Sports’ Hyatt E. Cunningham, the Register’s Sports Editor and Photographer, and went on to work with the Asbury Park Press.
His days were spent with his friends, brothers, and beloved mother, and he enjoyed a lot of time in and around the water. He was an avid surfer, and during one winter spent all but three days riding waves!
He was a beach lifeguard, and became a very proud owner of a 1963 Corvette Stingray, the first one in Monmouth County.
He lived in Sea Bright at the Peninsula House Beach Club, above Longo’s Restaurant, and then in Monmouth Beach with buddies John Rodgers and Bobby Waldron. They had some crazy experiences during those days being the Kahunas at the beach and playing football with the Bayshore Redwings.
He had novels of tales from reminiscing of his childhood and early adult life on the Jersey Shore. He was caring and smart, fun to be around, loved by all, and handsome inside and out. He met Clayton through her sister’s husband, and they were married in 1967. Derek and Courtney were born one and three years later. With the encouragement of his mom and to have more time at home with his growing family rather than spending time as a writer during the late nights at the Register, he began working at an auto parts distribution center, the foundation for his career in auto parts/battery sales and management. Ultimately, he and family relocated to California in 1973 for work.
Life in California was filled with enjoyable and memorable adventures, fueled by trips in the family camper van, which towed a 16 foot inflatable outboard boat. The family was able to travel extensively, thanks to Clayton’s return to Delta Air Lines in 1977. There were multiple trips to Hawaii, travel all over the Caribbean, and multiple European and South American trips.
Jack had exceptional friends who blessed his and his family’s lives. Jack was always the first to suggest an adventure, and spent many trips exploring the Channel Islands, sometimes in his 16 foot inflatable, and sometimes on bigger more seaworthy boats. He was once asked by the Coast Guard via a megaphone from the large cutter boat, “What boat are you off of?” Jack proudly and with ease pointed to the small deck below his feet, while rocking around in the powerful seas, “This one!”
Jack enjoyed scuba diving, and dove in innumerable locations, including Hawaii, multiple locations in the Caribbean, including the Bahamas and Bimini, and in Grand Cayman. His most memorable dive may have been a shark dive in Stuart Cove, Bahamas. He enjoyed playing tennis and racquet ball. He was a devoted father and enjoyed cheering on Derek at his cross country and track meets, and Courtney at her swim meets.
He always had the latest and greatest photo and video camera equipment, and was continuously on the cutting edge when it came to technology, gadgets, and the internet. He shared his passion of photography with others, and was kind, friendly, and generous. He was known for his exceptional story telling and was loved by all.
He ultimately moved back to New Jersey to be closer to his brothers and Mom in 2001, and continued to live life large with travel and adventure. He enjoyed living part time in Colorado with friend Joanne, and returned to the ski slopes and tennis court. He traveled extensively with brother Bruce to boat racing events throughout the country and into Canada, and became friends with many incredible people in the boat racing and Jersey Speed Skiff community. He eventually purchased a Skiff of his own, the ‘Jo-Carol Too’. He then settled into a new chapter of his life in Highlands with partner Julie. They purchased a motor home, he called it “the coach”, and they traveled in it extensively, including to California, multiple winter trips to Florida, and to multiple boat racing events with brother Bruce and his Speed Skiff, the ‘Lowe Blow’. He loved his coach and speed skiff and was able to enjoy many days in each, as he did with his CraigCat ‘Jack’s Folly’ - a bench seat on two surfboards with an engine! Throughout it all, he loved stopping in at brother Chick’s Carriage House Marina in Sea Bright - a hub for the Lowe/Cunningham families.
He was a proud grandfather, and most certainly was the coolest grandfather on the planet, no doubt. He said on multiple occasions, “I’m the luckiest man on the planet.” His family and friends were blessed to have been graced by his presence - luckier than him, by far. We miss Jack so very much, but we celebrate his life well lived, and we will move forward with him in our hearts, while remembering his million watt smile and beautiful blue eyes.
Jack is survived by his former wife, a forever friend and loving supporter, Ann Clayton Lowe, of Newburyport MA, son Derek Thomas Lowe of Newington CT, daughter Kathryn Courtney Luck of Newburyport MA, brothers Bruce David Lowe of Locust NJ, and Charles Lance Cunningham of Sea Bright NJ, grandchildren James Cameron Luck, Hayden Jackson Luck, Ashton Noelani Lowe and Averly Halanamalie Lowe, multiple loving nieces and nephews, and his significant other Julie Rodgers, of Highlands NJ. He is preceded in death by his younger brother, Hyatt Cunningham.
Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, NJ was entrusted with the arrangements and a Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday October 1st, 1-4 pm at his brother Lance ‘Chick’ Cunningham’s marina, Carriage House Marina, 1200 Ocean Avenue, Sea Bright, NJ. Donations can be made in Jack’s honor to Swim Across America.
