John Joseph Smrekar

John ("Jack") Smrekar
May 5, 1926 - December 16, 2021
Sacramento
Our beloved John Joseph ("Jack") Smrekar passed away peacefully in his Sacramento home, surrounded by his wife and four children, on December 16, 2021, at the age of 95.
Jack was born in Sublet, Wyoming, on May 5, 1926. In 1932 his family moved to San Jose, CA. He attended St. Mary's Grammar School and Bellarmine College Preparatory (1944), where he played both football and basketball. His 1944 championship basketball team was inducted into the Bellarmine Hall of Fame. After high school, Jack enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces and was honorably discharged in 1946. He then enrolled at the University of Santa Clara. On August 28, 1949, he married Elizabeth (Liz) Peterson. They met on a blind date and shared 72 years of marriage.
In 1952 Jack and Liz welcomed the birth of their first child Jim, followed by daughters Joan, Maggie, and Claire. Jack was a devoted family man first and always. He spent his vacation time each year with Liz and the kids at Lake Tahoe and later at Pinecrest, where the family enjoyed long summer days at the lake, dinners on the cabin deck, board games at night, and movies at Pinecrest's outdoor theater.
Jack had a 42-year distinguished career in the insurance industry. At the time of his retirement, he was the Executive Vice President of the San Jose office of AON. He was also a Rotarian and an active board member of the Boys & Girls Club in San Jose. In 2012, Jack and Liz moved from San Jose to Sacramento to be in closer proximity to their children and grandchildren.
In retirement, Jack and Liz enjoyed travels to Europe and excursions throughout the United States. Two family favorites include a trip to Hawaii to celebrate a 50th wedding anniversary with their children, their spouses, and 10 grandchildren, and a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where Jack and Liz celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary - again with their children and spouses.
In addition to his devotion to family, Jack will be remembered fondly for his love of sports. Friends and family recall him watching two different football games on two side-by-side TV's -- all while monitoring his famous baby back ribs on the backyard grill. He was passionate about Notre Dame football, the SF 49'ers, and the SF Giants. Those who knew him well will smile, remembering his magnetic draw towards children and dogs. In recent years, you could find Jack socializing almost daily with his Sacramento neighbors and their dogs, often with one of the dogs resting happily on his lap.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Mary Smrekar, sister Maxine Smrekar, and grandson Richard Smrekar. He will be missed by wife Liz, his children and their spouses - Jim & Sue Smrekar, Joan & Stuart Gherini, Maggie & Tim McDonnell, Claire Smrekar & Eric Slater, his 10 grandchildren and their spouses (who knew him as "Papa"), and 3 great- grandchildren. His family is deeply grateful to his loving caregivers and for the excellent supportive care provided by Blossom Ridge Hospice.
A Memorial Mass to celebrate Jack's life of faith and family will be held at Bellarmine's Leontyne Chapel in San Jose on At a later date. Donations can be made to the charity of your choice or to the Boys and Girls Club of Silicon Valley.