Jack Nerness

Jack Nerness of Hamilton, Georgia and Destin, Florida died suddenly from kidney failure on September 8 surrounded by his loving family after having just returned from a two-week vacation in his beloved Hawaii.  He is survived by his wife Mary and daughters Emily Urbina (Mario) and Caryn Lee (Blake) and his sister Dottie Ballestero (Manuel) of Hilton Head.

He is also survived by stepdaughters Denise Antinori (Ron), Lorie Brazie (Rob) and Terri Ogle and nephew Mark Ballestero (Julie) of Morristown, NJ and Sara Schmitt (Steven) of Andover, MA. He leaves behind grandchildren Andres, Tyler, Dylan, and many step grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his mother Dorothy and stepdad Tex and brother Richard Lewis.

Jack was born in Meriden CT, a true Connecticut Yankee, spent his teenage years in Canton, Ohio and graduated from Lincoln HS in Canton before moving with his parents to St. Louis, Mo.  After his dad was transferred to Columbus, GA with Royal Crown Cola, Jack and his family followed.  He soon started Clearwater Pool Service and also merged with a partner to form Aquarius Pools. Thru hard work and long hours the company was successful.  He received the Small Businessperson of the year award and received national awards. He sold the company to retire.

Jack especially loved his beautiful home over looking Lake Williams, his pool, but only if the temperature was over 90!, his spa and he was the BBQ king cooking many a tasty Boston butt on the grill.A voracious reader, he enjoyed sitting on the beach in Destin with a good book.

After discovering Destin (then a small fishing village with spectacular beaches) Jack bought into one of the first developments there.  He loved flying his plane there to golf and go out in one of the many boats he owned over the years to ski and fish. He also loved taking his boat to West Point to ski with friends and family. Many happy years followed.

Jack loved to travel including the Caribbean and Europe but especially Hawaii.

OORAH!!   It was a life well lived.  He will be deeply missed.ww.cancer.org