Jack Carbon, loving husband, father and grandfather, died peacefully on Friday, July 15, at the Plymouth Rehabilitation Hospital.

Jack grew up in Sherborn, the son of John and Ellinor Carbon. As a child he loved camping and was an active Cub Scout. He met his future wife Ginny in high school when she moved to Sherborn with her foster family. Nervous, stepping on the bus for the first day, Jack offered her a seat next to him. They fell in love and married. Shortly after the birth of his first child, Ellie, Jack left to serve in the Viet Nam War. He served one year as a Navy Seabee builder.

When Jack returned from Viet Nam, they lived in Ashland and had their second child, Danny. They then made the decision to move to Martha’s Vineyard. Jack built the house in Edgartown where they lived and raised their family. On the Vineyard Jack and friend Jerry Grant started Grant & Carbon Marine. During this time they contributed to the Jaws set together and had fun building the dock that was designed to collapse in the movie.

Several years later, Jack got his captain’s license and began working on the Chappaquiddick Ferry. He enjoyed his years on the ferry, making many good friends from Chappy and even delivering a baby late one night. Later, Jack went to work as a carpenter for Red Ward at Gazaille and Ward. He worked for Red for a number of years, as did his son in law Steve. Several years later, Jack and Steve went into business together doing carpentry.

Jack was a kind-hearted man, always with a ready smile. He was a dock builder, court officer, caretaker, carpenter, volunteer fireman and boat captain. He loved traveling and with Ginny was able to see London, Paris, Amsterdam and Portugal where Danny was living as an adult. He also loved going on cruises and he and Ginny enjoyed making new friends as they sailed the seas. Jack loved Maine and New Hampshire and they would often travel there in the fall with Danny and Ellie when they were younger. He enjoyed fishing and photography. He loved the Patriots and the Celtics. But mostly he enjoyed his family. His grandchildren were his pride and joy and he loved watching them in their activities, playing computer games with them or swimming in the pool. Papa Jack’s calm personality had a way of getting any restless baby to sleep or overtired toddler to curl up in his lap.

He is survived by his wife and best friend of 50 years, Ginny; his son Danny, daughter in law Shannon and their children Jack and Bess; his daughter Ellie, son in law Steven and their children Kristen and Sarah. He also leaves his sister Jean and her family, his brothers Tony and Jay and their families as well as many other loving family members.

A private service will be held at a later date. Contributions in his name can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.