Jack Jeffrey Maccani

WASHBURN, Wis. - Jack Jeffrey Maccani, 36, of Washburn, entered eternal life Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. He was born June 1, 1983, in Bessemer Township, Mich., a son of William L. and Diane Maccani. He was the youngest of five children.

Jack attended elementary and junior high in Bessemer, Mich., and high school in Bessemer and Calumet, Mich., and Superior, as he traveled to pursue his passion of playing hockey. Jack graduated from Bessemer's A.D. Johnston High School in 2001, and also received a certificate of completion in building trades from Gogebic Community College.

He continued his education for one semester at GCC, where he took his prerequisite classes. He then went to Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Superior, where he pursued his degree as an HVAC technician. He also took classes in machining.

Jack was employed by Brown Plumbing and HVAC of Ashland. Previously, he was employed by Mukavitz Heating of Ironwood, Mich.

Jack was an extremely talented athlete, playing baseball, hockey and football. As a youth he played Little League, Senior League and high school baseball. He played on several all-star baseball teams, including the strictly-Bessemer team who won the U.P. District Little League title, for the first time since 1947. He was currently playing for the Hurley Timberjaxx and Mellen Expos, both amateur baseball teams. Jack also played league softball and tournament softball, which included coed teams with his girlfriend.

Jack played youth hockey for the Ironwood Polar Bears. His Pee Wee B team won the state title in 1996. To further his hockey skills, Jack skated with the Midget AA teams in Calumet and Superior while he was in high school. Before Jack went to college, he played junior hockey in Escondido, Calif. for the San Diego Surf. Jack played men's amateur hockey with the Calumet Wolverines through 2018.

Jack was active for several years in area beagle clubs. He ran his hounds at trials throughout the Midwest. He also was a certified beagle trial judge and judged several events.

Jack was an avid hunter and enjoyed hunting deer, rabbits, grouse, pheasant and ducks. Jack loved nature and often referred to the woods as his "church." Jack had many special memories of hunting with his dad and brothers.

Fishing was one of Jack's great loves, especially on Lake Superior. He was a charter captain and he and his brother, Mark, ran a charter business on the FV Glacier Girl. Jack's great uncle, Ray Niemi, and his cousin, Ray Junior, taught him how to fish the Big Lake on their boat the FV Riku, and now Ray Junior's sons, Nick and Anthony, often are the first mate for Jack and Mark.

Jack is survived by his fiancé, Kaitlyn Josephine Fryer, Washburn; his parents, William L. and Diane Maccani, Bessemer; his brothers, William K. (Gina) Maccani, Aurora, Minn., and Mark (Jenna) Maccani, Bessemer; sisters, Robin (Brad) Nezworski, Ironwood, and Heidi (Tim) King, Washburn. He is also survived by eight nieces and nephews, Austin, Ty and Haley Nezworski, Cody and Madi Maccani, Emma and Zoey Thompson and Huston King. He is further survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins and special friends.

Jack was preceded in death by his grandparents, William C. and Jeanne Maccani and Carl (Rudy) and Nelmi Martinson; his special great uncle, Ray Niemi and two aunts, Doreen Passuello and Carolyn Martinson.

A celebration of Jack's life will be Friday, Aug. 9, at Sharon Lutheran Church in Bessemer, Reverend William Jacobson will officiate. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. with the service to follow at 11 a.m. Lunch will follow in Kastman Hall at the church.

Jack had many loved ones and friends. His absence has left a huge hole in all our hearts. Jack will be fondly remembered for his genuine smile, sense of humor and unmistakable laugh. He will also be remembered for his kind heart, as Jack would go out of his way to help anyone in need and always made time for others. We are all thankful we will have a part of Jack back when his daughter, Kali Jean, is born in late October. Memorials can be made to the Kali Jean Maccani Trust Fund, c/o William and Diane Maccani, N9491 Elder Road, Bessemer, MI 49911.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Jerald Rocco, owner and manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield, Mich. Condolences may be expressed online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.