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John Joseph “Jack” Katzenbach, 74, of Essex passed away peacefully on Nov. 29. He was survived by his daughters, Mary Patricia (Katzenbach) Murray and Elizabeth (Katzenbach) Martinez. Jack was born in New York City in 1947 to the late John and Mary Katzenbach. He grew up in Bronx, New York, and raised his family in Peekskill, New York, before settling in Essex in 1989. Jack graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School in Bronx, New York and Westchester Community College in Valhalla, New York.

Mr. Katzenbach worked tirelessly his entire life. He began as a shop steward for the Teamster’s at just 18 years old while working for UPS and Macy’s. He was later construction inspector for the City of Peekskill, New York, and then went on to own and operate his own oil heating business. He was an excellent mechanic. For the last 18 years, he was the proud owner and operator of Jack’s Shoreline Bait & Tackle.

Jack was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who truly loved “his team” as he called them. (Everything was related to basketball, for at 6’4” tall Jack was the center and star of his high school and college basketball teams.) He was a funny, reliable, faithful father and friend. Jack always had a dog his entire life, and recently became the proud human of his cat Bruno. Like his wife before him, he loved riding to the beaches in Connecticut and Rhode Island while listening to loud music of all genres, but especially Frank Sinatra. Being on or near the water boating and fishing were his favorite pastimes. If he wasn’t fishing, he liked talking about fishing with his friends at the shop. He was known as “Big Jack” to his wife and friends, “Dad” to his children, and “Poppie” to his five grandchildren. He will be most remembered for his dry, witty sense of humor and his loyalty to all who loved him.

In addition to his daughters, he will be dearly missed by his son-in-law Tommy Murray, his five grandchildren, Kellen Murray, Michael Murray, Nicholas Martinez, Matthew Martinez, and Paddy Murray, as well as his cousins Joseph Waldron, Katherine Nadel, Dennis Waldron, Ethel Waldron, John Divine, and Ethel Reed, his Godson Joe Divine, and Mary Grace Smith.

The entire family extends a heartfelt thank you to all of the healthcare professionals that took such good care of him and helped keep him with us as long as possible.

Calling hours will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18 at St. Mary’s Church, 54 Grove Street, Clinton. A funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m. The family invites you to a celebration of life in the Visitation Hall following the funeral (lots of music will be played). Burial to be attended by the family on a later date.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a donation, please consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or The St. Joseph Society, which were two of Jack’s favorites.