Obituary of Thomas Jack Wetzel

On Thursday, October 31, 2024, Thomas John “Jack” Wetzel passed away at 92. Jack led a rich life full of love, family, friends, faith, service, books, songs, travel, and adventure. A life of innumerable golf balls lost and found, ice cream scoops enjoyed, sangria pitchers concocted, and corny jokes told.

He is predeceased by his father, Donald Wetzel, his mother, Gladys Wetzel, his son, Don Wetzel and his brother, Jim Wetzel.  

Jack leaves behind his wife, Carol Wetzel; sister, Judy (Joe) Colaianni; children, Carly Wetzel, Leslie Wetzel, Andrew (Adriana) Wetzel, and grandchildren, Lauren (Malia) Hunziker, Haleigh Wetzel, Devan Lejnieks, Christophe Theodore, Dru Lejnieks, Renee Theodore, Annah Lejnieks, Mila Wetzel, and Zara Wetzel.

Jack grew up in Baltimore, MD.  He adored riding his bicycle, his passport to freedom and exploration. He loved trips to see his cousins in Pennsylvania. They spent one memorable Christmas morning swimming in an icy creek, an early sign of his ever-adventurous spirit. After high school, Jack joined the Navy during the Korean War and served as a meteorologist on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific.

In September 1955, Jack began studies at Ohio University. There, he identified a dream of working in international business. After completing his undergrad, he graduated from Thunderbird School of Global Management (then known as the American Institute for Foreign Trade) with a focus on Spanish and Latin American Studies.

He began his professional career with Chase Bank, based in New York City.  There he met Patricia Ann Anzalone and they married in June 1963. Jack accepted a sales and marketing management role for Avon based in Mexico City - where his son Don and daughter Carly were born. He was living his dream of working in international business. He loved the city, culture, and language. His subsequent career adventure was in Madrid, Spain, where daughter, Leslie, and son, Andy, were born. After nearly 10 years living abroad, Jack and his family returned to the US in 1973, settling in Connecticut. Jack accepted a new professional challenge, focusing on Asia-Pacific. He traveled to Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and more. As was his nature, he met friends everywhere. His world-spanning journeys and the people he met along the way were one of the greatest joys of Jack’s life.

Jack said farewell to the corporate world, and the Wetzel family moved to Rochester, NY. Jack helped his son, Don, launch and grow a landscaping company. He embraced a life of volunteerism and service to others. As a member of Rotary, he served as an interpreter for several medical missions to Peru to provide cleft palate surgery to children. Also, in Rotary, Jack discovered a love of singing when he participated in the yearly show.

Jack embarked on another great adventure on May 25, 1991 when he married Carol. They celebrated their 33rd anniversary earlier this year. They found particular joy in singing in the church choir and volunteering at Highland Hospital for nearly 10 years. They welcomed 9 grandchildren and lavished each with love.

Those who knew him invariably describe him as a warm man, possessed of a welcoming kindness that made all feel an immediate and lasting comfort in his presence. He faced life’s challenges with grace, faith, and good humor. Even in his final days, when his words were trapped inside him, a good joke could brighten his eyes as a smile grew across his face. 

He was dearly loved by his family, and we strive to carry on Jack’s legacy by leading lives full of passion and adventure, shaped by kindness and service, and being sure to laugh a lot along the way. 

Jack's Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, November 22 at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Resurrection, 63 Mason Rd, Fairport, NY.  There will be a reception at the church immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hope Hall School in Rochester, New York. The school’s mission was dear to Jack and it was another beneficiary of his service.