John Albright (Jack) Wilson died on the morning of August 20 in Scottsdale, Ariz., but not until he had rung the bell for the 92nd time the day prior.

There were few people like him.

Born in New York city on August 19, 1928, the son of Horace and Annabel Wilson, he was raised in both Chicago and New York. He was a true product, in the best way, of his Deerfield and Princeton educations and was a proud supporter of both schools throughout his life. His time in business school at Stanford was cut short by the Korean War where First Lieutenant Wilson was a forward observer. Much of that service was spent in the co-pilot seat of a U.S. Army Cessna reporting on troop movements and providing damage assessments. His time in the Army had a lasting impact on his life. He loved sharing stories of his time in Korea, which included a chance meeting with General MacArthur. He was proud of his service to his country and was honored in death by both Hospice of Arizona and the U.S. Army.

Upon his return from Korea he settled in the mid 1950s in San Francisco where he became an active participant in the burgeoning social scene. He served as an officer in the bachelors’ group TDO&O (the Tuesday Downtown Operators and Observers club), which consisted of two dozen or so eligible bachelors who met weekly for drinks and organized events. At one of the events Jack met Morna Joan Wefald, who would become the mother of his children and partner of 30 years. Soon after their marriage in 1960, Jack and Joan headed to New York so Jack could take over the family insurance business.

They settled in Bronxville, N.Y., where they raised Anne, Heather, Brad and John. Jack could be found most weekday mornings driving his red Ford Pinto down to the train station to catch the 6:10 to Grand Central. After a successful career developing and managing benefits programs for Rockefeller Center, Rock Resorts and others as an independent agent for Equitable, he retired in 1985.

Jack had spent many uninterrupted summers on Martha’s Vineyard with his mother and stepfather, whose family had a long history on the Island. He shared that tradition with his family, and 5 Wilbur Lane became the Wilson family summer compound.

He was a well-known figure at the Edgartown Yacht Club tennis courts for his competitive spirit and crafty game, always competing for club championships in both men’s and mixed doubles. He was a preferred doubles partner of Walter Cronkite, but his greatest successes came with his partnership with Judge John Paul Sullivan. They were a rock for the EYC in many Nantucket matches and wrapped up their tennis partnership with a 10-year winning streak in the Chappy Cup.

Jack and Joan could be found most Saturday nights at the EYC dining and dancing. He was a popular dance partner but was most often found lighting up the dance floor with Mary Sullivan. He was also a member of the Edgartown Reading Room.

His marriage ended in divorce, and in 1990 he left the East Coast behind and settled in Scottsdale, Ariz. He enjoyed the heat of the desert, Indian and western art and touring the West to visit friends during the hot Arizona summers. He loved sharing his passion for Western memorabilia and all of his good friends and family have stories of trinkets from Jack arriving unexpectedly in the mail.

He eventually found his spot in Pacific Beach, Calif., where he spent most of his remaining summers observing life on the beach and the boardwalk from a corner apartment at Crystal Pier.

Jack was predeceased by his second wife Phyllis and is survived by his sister Anne, brother Teddy, children Anne, Heather, Brad and John, and six grandchildren.

No memorial service is planned.

Donations can be sent to Hospice of Arizona, or Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard.