John Hollister

John B. "Jack" Hollister, Jr, devoted husband of Elizabeth "Betty" Boyle Hollister, father to John B. Hollister III Cindy, Thomas J. Hollister Diane, Ellen Hollister Whelan Bill, and David B. Hollister Dana and Grandfather to William, Steven, Benjamin, Samantha, Allison and Andrew; November 22, 2012. Jack was born in Cincinnati, Ohio July 25, 1925 to John B. and Ellen Rollins Hollister. Mr. Hollister, Sr. was a United States Congressman and founding partner of the law firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister. Jack attended Cincinnati Country Day and St Paul's School in Concord, NH, graduating in '43. He left Yale University during the fall of his freshman year to join the United States Army. Starting as a buck private, he joined the European Theater on "D + 55" and fought throughout France and Germany until V-E Day in May 1945. He received two battlefield promotions to Corporal and then Sergeant where he finished as Commanding Officer of a heavy machine gun platoon in the 94th Infantry Division of General Patton's 3rd Army. He received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. After V-E Day, he became Mayor of a village in Czechoslovakia and quarterbacked the 94th Infantry football team. He was honorably discharged in September 1945 and returned to Yale where he played and coached football and became a member of Skull & Bones. A prime example of "The Greatest Generation," he rarely spoke of his extensive and distinguished military service. Upon graduation in June 1949 he went north to the University of Western Ontario as an assistant football coach where he introduced elevated observation to Canadian football. At "Western" he met his future wife, Betty Boyle, a former Western cheerleader and championship swimmer and then a secretary in the alumni office. Married in April 1950, the couple first lived in Cincinnati and subsequently Jack found employment with Cleveland-Cliffs Iron. With Cliffs, they moved to Ishpeming, Michigan where Jack worked deep underground at the Mather B mine. Promoted to the Sales Department, Jack worked for Cliffs and other natural resource firms until his retirement in 1986 as Senior Vice President whereupon he continued consulting in the natural resource business. Betty and Jack raised four children and enjoyed nothing more than family activities. Affectionately known as "the Cat" and, in later years, "the Aging Field Marshall", Jack and Betty made many memories for their children with exciting family trips and vacations and his constant presence as coach and mentor. He was no pushover, however, raising his children with firm discipline and high standards. Jack was involved in many not-for-profit organizations including Hiram House Camp, Hillcrest Hospital and Town Council in Hunting Valley. He was a member of many clubs and social groups. He was regularly called upon at social events to regale the crowd with stories, songs and limericks. His "Cliffs Song Book" remains a source of revelry in the Cleveland area. Jack enjoyed people of all types, had a wonderful sense of humor and is best known for the respectful and interested manner in which he would draw out the best in others. He always said that Betty was his better half. Betty kept him on the straight and narrow these many years and revealed to him an appreciation of art, natural history and general decorum. She remains on the Board of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and kept his mind extremely active through bridge, where she is a Life Master, and other activities. A Memorial Service will be held at the Federated Church of Chagrin Falls at 11am on Saturday, December 1 followed by a reception at the Hunt Club of Gates Mills. In lieu of flowers, please make all gifts in the name of Jack Hollister to the Hiram House Camp, 33775 Hiram Trail, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022.


PDF Printable Version