Jack Stephens Ginter

Jack Stephens Ginter, of Sunrise, FL, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on July 9, 2015. Jack, 87, was the eldest son of the late Reverend John H. Ginter, founding pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Hopewell, NJ, and Kathryn V. Stephens Ginter. He was predeceased by his first wife and Princeton High School sweetheart, Anne Dennen Ginter. He is survived by his companion and wife of 37 years, Janice Ginter, his brother Donald W. Ginter and wife Eileen of Beloit, WI, daughters, Melanie Ginter and husband John Lapides of New Haven, CT, and Tracy and husband Robert Bushkoff of Arlington, VA, and his grandchildren Natalie, Harrison, Jessica and Rebecca. Born in the remote pine barrens of New Jersey, Jack wanted to see the world and delighted in immersing himself in foreign cultures. He would travel at the drop of the hat, and in doing so, met his wife Janice on an African safari. He was one of the first to travel to China after Nixon opened the country, and was an early traveler to Russia, typically packing few clothes but lots of cigarettes and jeans for bartering on his visits. An avid outdoorsman, he hunted, sailed, skied, and scuba-dived all over the world and lived, at various times, in PA, NJ, NC, CO, and FL. He enlisted in the Navy during WWII prior to attending Lafayette College, where he was editor of the paper and famed for his pithy headlines. Upon graduation, he married Anne, earned his master’s degree in Psychology from Temple University, and began his management consulting business, becoming a trusted advisor to managers and CEOs of businesses ranging from local car dealerships to national insurance companies and wealth managers. Active in his local communities, Jack served, for a time, as a volunteer fireman in Hulmeville, PA, where he drove the hook and ladder truck. He fought an enormous fire in the bitter cold that burned a veterinary hospital to the ground on New Year’s Eve 1962, leading many, but not all, of the animals to safety throughout the night. The experience remained with him, and he became a devoted lover of wildlife and all animals. Outgoing and personable, Jack drew people to him at home and on his travels; they often became lifelong friends. His charisma and skills led him to be a sought after crew for numerous sailing and ski adventures. He was also a mentor to many young people. The family wishes to thank Jack’s incredible caregivers, who loved and cared for him so well, including Pauline, Lorna, Leonie, Monica and many others. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to TrustBridge Health, 5300 East Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 or www.TrustBridge.com. A service celebrating Jack’s life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 8 at Plantation United Methodist Church, 1001 NW 70th Avenue, Plantation, FL 33313, with a reception to follow. A request of Jack's was no black or somber tones, please wear bright colors.