Obituary: John P. Eaton, 88, of Port Washington

John P. Eaton (Jack), a lifelong Port Washington resident, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2015.

Jack was born in 1927 to John and Irene Eaton of Port Washington. He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy (Kane) and daughter Mary.

He was a WWII Navy veteran, serving in Pacific.

Jack was a terrific high school and college athlete. At St. Paul’s high school in Garden City, he was a stand out three sport athlete. He excelled in basketball and baseball, earning all county honors in both. He attended the University of Rhode Island and played varsity basketball for the legendary “Runnin Rams”, as well as varsity baseball. In 1951 he earned honorable mention on the NY Telegram and Sun, All America Basketball Team.

After college, Jack continued his love of sports and teaching and was instrumental in the development of the Port Washington Youth Activities (PYA). In the formative years, he served on the board of directors for five years. He was the basketball commissioner for four years and the director of referees for one year. He also served as head coach for many PYA basketball and baseball teams, teaching hundreds of port children the fundamentals of basketball and baseball. He was inducted into the PYA Hall Of Fame in 1997.

He remained an active athlete throughout his entire life. He played on several championship fast pitch softball teams and amateur basketball clubs around New York State. He was a member of the High School and College Basketball Officials Association. In 1991 he was a member of the Glen Cove Senior Softball Team that won the New York State Championship. He became a certified U.S. Professional Tennis Association teaching pro and taught tennis well into his 70’s.

Jack was an accomplished photographer. In the 1960’s and 1970’s, he was well known for roaming the sidelines of high school sporting events shooting outstanding action shots that were typically provided for the families of the athletes and published in the High School yearbooks. He went on the photograph wildlife and nature scenes, winning awards and having his work displayed at various events, including the Port Public Library.

Jack is survived by his four loving children and their spouses: Jack Jr. (Susan), North Kingstown, RI. Scott (Regina), North Kingstown, RI. Karen (Bob) Raidt, Darien, CT. Lynn (Ira) Cooper, Plainview, NY: and his nine cherished grandchildren.

Jack was layed to rest in Nassau Knolls Cemetery, Port Washington, NY.