John “Jack” Gantz, 76

October 19, 2024

John “Jack” Gantz III, 76, of Manheim, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 19, 2024. The loving husband of Judith Charney Gantz, he was a devoted family man, educator and coach. Born in Philadelphia to John and Katherine Fitzgerald Gantz, Jack grew up in Franklinville, NJ, where he enjoyed a carefree childhood of fishing, canoeing, hunting and sports. At Delsea Regional High School he played baseball and wrestled. Jack was president of the Key Club and captained the wrestling team.

While an undergraduate at Bloomsburg University, Jack wrestled and was president of Phi Beta Lambda service fraternity before earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Business Education.

After 35 years of teaching and 25 years of coaching, he retired from Manheim Central High School. He had coached high school wrestling and both boys’ and girls’ soccer in the community, Jr. High, and High School arenas. In 1997 Jack was given the Lancaster-Lebanon League Girl’s Soccer “Coach of the Year” award. He took great pride and satisfaction from developing the athletes in their sport and was ever grateful for the support, success, friendships and legacy that was generated from these experiences.

Always a fitness, sport and outdoor enthusiast, Jack was a founding member of the Lancaster Canoe Club. He anchored canoeing trips locally, to the Pine Barrens of New Jersey and through the wilderness of Canada’s Algonquin Park. Jack was instrumental in the formation and development of community youth programs; notably soccer, swimming and the San Juan Bautista Summer Camp in Lancaster City. Having appreciated the role nature, sport, fitness and team play had in enriching the quality of his life, Jack remained generous in promoting opportunities for children of our communities.

Jack was the backbone of our family. A quiet, kind, unassuming man he was always ready to facilitate and support us in our activities, projects and choices. Jack’s most cherished remembrances were ones spent with family, around the campfire, enjoying nature, or cheering on athletic adventures. His devotion to his wife, children, and grandchildren was unwavering.
Jack is survived by his wife, Judy, and their daughter Kelly, her husband, Brian Phillips, and their children Meredith, Anna, Avery and Collin; their son, John “David” and his wife Emily Gantz, and their daughter, Juniper, as well as Judy’s large extended family.

Visitation to greet family will be held at St. Richard’s Catholic Church, 110 N. Oak St., Manheim, PA on Sunday, November 3, from 3 to 5 p.m. A graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family. Jack was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 119 S., Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603.