Vivian Jack

Vivian Jack, 85 of Chesapeake, VA died Friday, November 6, 2015 at his residence. He was the youngest of three sons born in Toco, on the Island of Trinidad in the West Indies to the late Benjamin and Leonora Jack. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Cecil E. Glanville and Samuel Jack; and his first wife, Dolly. Vivian’s early education was in Toco before leaving to settle in the city of San Juan and later in Barataria where he furthered his education.  He was most proud of his membership as a Freemason in the District Grand Lodge of Trinidad & Tobago. After serving an apprenticeship at the Trinidad Publishing Company and The Trinidad Guardian Newspaper as a photo engraver, he migrated to England in 1954 and joined the Society of Lithographic Artist Designers and Engravers. He attended the London College of Printing to be retrained in photo lithography. He spent time as a professional folk dancer, training and touring with his group, The Caribbean Folk Dancers and Vivian Jack & Co. He also earned a black belt in Judo at the Budokwai School in London. Due to a recession, in the late 70s, he migrated to the United States with his family and settled in Teaneck, NJ. He joined his brother, Dr. Cecil E. Glanville, a practicing psychiatrist in Teaneck. Vivian worked as a manager at a prepress lithographic company in New Jersey which printed major consumermagazines. When his wife died in 1989, he dedicated his time to continue raising their two daughters, Kim and Cathi. Vivian returned to his favorite hobbies of the visual and performance arts after retirement in 1996. He exhibited his paintings in New Jersey and took part in many art shows and workshops as the vice president for the Cultural Arts Coalition in Teaneck. He also led an African Drum Group that toured the county with exhibitions and workshops. Vivian met his wife, Eleanor, in Englewood, NJ. They continued their retirement in Chesapeake, VA, near Eleanor's childhood home in Suffolk. Vivian's creative, artistic, and musical interests continued in this area. He obtained a patent for his invention of aturn signal for bicycles. He received the Georgiana Fleming award from the Suffolk Art League’s annual Juried Exhibition. Designing and making jewelry with Eleanor became a new interest for him. Vivian was a published author. His first book, “Toco” published in 2012, was recognized by Kirkus Reviews as one of the best Indie books for 2013 and his second book, “Toco 2” published in 2015. Vivian was a member of First Baptist Church, Mahan Street, where he was very active with the music ministry. He introduced drumming in the worship service. He was director and founder of the Sunset Drummers and was a member of the C. W. Cuffee Scholarship committee. Vivian leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Eleanor D. Jack; two daughters, Kim Jack Riley (Mark) of Haworth, New Jersey and Catherine Jack Ndiaye(Elhadji) of Bowie, MD; stepson, Dale D. Sparrow of Suffolk, VA; two grandchildren, Viveca SimoneRiley and Mohamed Benjamin Ndiaye; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters-in-law and many friends. A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon, Saturday, November 14, 2015 at First Baptist Church, 112 Mahan Street, Suffolk officiated by Rev. Dr. Steven Blunt. A wake will be held Friday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Crocker Funeral Home. A memorial service will take place in December in Teaneck, New Jersey. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Sword and Shield Transport or theFirst Baptist Church Vision Project. The family thanks Gentiva Hospice Agency. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Vivian Jack, please visit our flower store.