WORCESTER - John (Jack) Hayward Makely, 78, passed away on the morning of August 31, 2021.

Jack was born on October 29, 1942, in the town of Durham to Maynard & Edna (Winans) Makely. He was one of five siblings. Jack spent his childhood on the family farm on Brighton Road and graduated from Worcester Central School in 1960. In 1961, he joined the United States Navy and was deployed to Morocco. Upon his return to the United States in 1965 Jack married Mary Hagenaers. They raised two sons and one daughter together.

Jack was a great salesman. He worked for years at the Freeman's Journal in Cooperstown, NY along with a few other sales positions in the manufacturing and pharmaceutical industry. He was a dedicated member of the American Legion Post 1584. Jack's true passion was for traveling. He spent many of his prime years doing missionary work overseas in several different countries such as Norway, Sweden, Finland, Egypt, Russia, Greece and his all-time favorite place, Israel. Jack had an apartment in Israel along the Lebanese border where he spent many years and had planned to retire there someday.

Jack loved his family. He is survived by his children, Geoffrey (Jessica) Makely, Christopher (Nuyu) Makely, Rebecca (David) Young; six grandchildren, Cole Makely, Oliver, Finn and Maverick Makely, Noah and Jacob Young. He is also survived by two sisters, Shirley Casale of San Marcos, CA and Elainai Lane of Rotterdam Junction, NY along with many loving nieces, nephews and extended family.

Calling hours will be from 7-9 p.m. Friday September 3, 2021, at Heller & Skinner Funeral Home, 155 Main Street, Worcester. Casual reception to follow at Jack's Pub 9556 Rt. 7 Worcester.

Graveside funeral services with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday September 4, 2021, at Potters Hollow Rural Cemetery, 7 Panamericana Norte, Preston Hollow, NY 12469. Reverend Elainai Lane will be officiating. Reception to follow at The Shamrock House 2388 NY-145 East Durham, NY.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to, www.hellerskinnerfh.com