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John L. Loehr, 83, of Essex died surrounded by family on June 17 after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease. Jack (as his close friends and family called him) was known for his great wisdom, wit, patience, generosity, and humility. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Jack was intellectually curious and an avid reader; he leaves behind a sizable library of well over 2,000 books. In addition to his love of family and books, Jack was partial to dogs. He was especially fond of his Golden Retriever, Bisquit, who was his beloved companion for many years. He was also a doting “grandfather” to Magnus, the endearingly exuberant Bull Mastiff. They spent many hours walking the parks in Rye Brook, New York, where Jack spent most of his retirement.

Born in Yonkers on Nov. 12, 1936, to John and Marie Loehr, Jack grew up in Bayside, Queens. He graduated as valedictorian of Bayside High School in 1954 and then from Fordham University in 1958. A member of the National Guard, he trained at Fort Dix in New Jersey in the early 1960’s. After graduating from Columbia Law School in 1961, he joined the Manhattan law firm Wien, Malkin, and Bettex. There he negotiated leases for corporate real estate, including the Empire State Building; he became a partner in 1970, and was loyal to the firm for his entire career. In 1971, he married Karin Skavo, and they made their home in River Vale, New Jersey, where they raised a loving family of four children.

He is survived by his wife Karin Loehr; his children Christine and her husband Matthew Kagan, Jacqueline and her husband Stephen Carroll, his son John Loehr, and his daughter Annalise Loehr; and his six grandchildren Alex, Ella, and Kallie Kagan, as well as Kirsten, Sophia, and Stevie Carroll. He is also survived by his four siblings Paul Loehr, Robert Loehr, Rose Gallo, and Barbara O’Connor.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014, or to The Valley Shore Animal Welfare League, 647 Horse Hill Rd., Westbrook, CT 06498. To share a memory of Jack or send a condolence to his family, please visit www.rwwfh.com. Privately held funeral services are in the care of the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, in Centerbrook.