Jack Mesquita Obituary

Highland, NY

Jack Mesquita, 73, passed away at Vassar Brothers Medical Center surrounded by his family on February 20, 2009.

Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil on May 23, 1935, Jack was the son of Anna Basilici and Oscar Mesquita.

He was a 1954 graduate of Carteret High School, Carteret, NJ, where he was an All American in football and baseball. He went on to graduate from Rider College, Trenton, NJ in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, where he was a pledge master and house manager. He also played short-stop with the Rider Varsity Baseball team and intramural football. He later went on to receive his Master's in Education at Rutgers University and SUNY New Paltz. Jack served his country in the Army National Guard in the Armored Division at Fort Knox, KY from 1959-1961.

Mr. Mesquita was a business education teacher and vice principal at Highland High School from 1961 until his retirement in 1994. He continued to work for the school district until the day before he passed. His service to Highland High School was with complete dedication and love. He supported many of his students as an educator and a coach and throughout his years in Highland became fixture at all Highland athletic events. He followed with interest the progress of his students well beyond their graduation. At Highland High School he coached baseball and basketball. When the high school decided to take on a new sport, Crew, he became its varsity coach. He was also active in the community coaching Highland Little League for many years and was a professional basketball referee. All who knew Jack identified him as a devoted fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Giants.

In 1960, he was married to Regina Ranalli of Highland, NY, and is survived by their children, Louis Mesquita and Elizabeth Mesquita Spross and grandchild, Dustin Mason, all of Wappingers Falls, NY. Grandpa loved attending Dustin's Little League baseball and CYO basketball games giving him tips on how to play the game, all the while often engaged in a lively exchange in sports knowledge and statistics.

In 1992, he married Mary Ann Clarke, of Kingston, NY and is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Mesquita, at home. Jack and Mary Ann were dedicated to one another for 17 years and shared lots of love and laughs. Additional survivors include stepdaughters, Kimberly Rozzi and daughter, Ashley of Highland, Stephanie Chenery and husband, Doug Chenery, and their sons: Craig, Daniel and Brandon of Highland, Laura Andreozzi and husband, Gino Andreozzi and children: Jordan, Mia and Jada, Naugatuck, CT; a step granddaughter, Tiffany Rozzi and step grandson, Collin Rozzi of Albany, NY, the children of stepdaughter, Lisa Rozzi who predeceased him in 2007.

Jack thoroughly enjoyed all of his children and grandchildren and spent many hours keeping up with their many interests and well-being.

He is also survived by his loving sister, Jeanette Seyglinski and brother-in-law, Leo Seyglinski of Sewaren, NJ; nieces: Robin Seyglinski of Sewaren, NJ, and Stacey Seyglinski of Freehold, NJ; a devoted brother, Joseph Mesquita and sister-in-law, Barbara Mesquita of Livingston, NJ; nephew, Joseph Mesquita Jr. and wife, Allison Mesquita and their children: Adam, Jordan and Abbie of Simsbury, CT. He was predeceased by his parents: father, Oscar Mesquita, who was lost at sea serving the U.S. Merchant Marines in 1942 and mother, Anna Basilici of Woodbridge, NJ in 1988.

Jack Mesquita was loved by all who knew him, especially his family. He will be remembered fondly by all the lives he was able to touch during his short time with us. He was devoted husband and a number one Dad and Granddad. He lived by the rules was a hard working family man, and dedicated educator. All who met him will surely remember his uncanny sense of humor. It's so hard to say good-bye to a stand-up Man.

Services will be held at the Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home, 38 Main St., Highland, NY 12528 on Tuesday, February 24, 2009. Calling hours are from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, February 25, at 11 a.m., at St. Augustine R.C. Church. Burial will follow in Lloyd Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Jack Mesquita Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Athletic Office, Highland High School, 320 Pancakehollow Rd., Highland NY 12528.

Arrangements entrusted to Michael Torsone Memorial Funeral Home; 845-691-2281.