John N. Poulos

 Jack Poulos was a beloved husband, son, father, grandfather and friend. His devotion to his family and friends was unparalleled. Born in Chestnut Hill, Jack lived in various areas of Philadelphia including Rittenhouse Square, Center City and South Philadelphia. Jack graduated from St. John Neumann high school and received a full scholarship to Temple University’s pharmacy school. He was born to his mother Mary, from County Mayo, Ireland and his father, Harry (Aristides) from Ionnina, Greece. Together, Mary and Harry had four boys, Jack, George, Al and Harry “Babe.” He was an opera singer and an opera buff who was still taking opera lessons at the Bryn Mawr Conservatory. Jack met his beloved wife and they were engaged four months later and were married on December 28, 1968. They had two children, Christopher and Alexandra and built a beautiful family together. Family and Our Lord God was everything to Jack. Within seconds of meeting Jack, you would hear about his love of faith and family. Jack was a shining light who made everyone around him feel happy with a sense of purpose. He had a saying, “What does it cost to be nice?” If you met Jack, you would feel a renewed sense in humanity. Jack loved pets and they loved him back. He also loved fine art, antiques and oriental rugs. Together, Jack and Sandy built an antique and oriental rug business on 10th & Pine and then moved to Fabric Row. He was called, “The Mayor of 4th Street.” He had a keen eye for beauty. Just ask about his beloved wife, Sandy and his words would ring poetic. Anyone would be lucky to have a love like they had.

 Jack lived in Broomall, PA with his daughter, Alexandra, granddaughter, Christina and dogs, Apollo and Mia and cat, Lily. Anytime he was shown a picture of a pet, he would ask if they were available for adoption. He loved animals and they loved him right back.  The house has been filled with beautiful antiques and artifacts, outdoor gardens and books as Jack was an avid book reader. Most importantly, the house was filled with love.

The universe just lost an amazing human being whose smile and personality would light up the world. To say he will be missed is an understatement. His daughter, granddaughter, brother Babe, nieces Tracy, Karlie and Monique, nephew, Tyler, pets and friends will miss him, his advice, humor, singing and his presence immensely.

From his granddaughter, Christina: Anybody and everybody who had the pleasure of meeting my grandfather, Jack, knew what an extraordinary human being he was. He was so full of life; positive and always sharp— mentally, spiritually and his style was impeccable. His infectious laugh alone would soar for miles. I always cherished the stories that he would share, albeit repetitive, he would always make it sound new and exciting, as his character was unmatched. He often mentioned how his Greek father in his heavy accent would tell him, “My Jakey, you are not of this world”. He did not have a hateful bone in his body and always acted as a peacemaker. He was not only my grandfather, but my best friend. My aunt Alexandra, his daughter, would often mention how if we weren’t all related, she would still choose as us as her best friends. After the devastating loss of his son, my father, Alex’s brother, Christopher, and his wife, my grandmother, Alex’s mother, Sandra; horrible losses that were only 8 months apart, we exuded the power of three. The fact that we had each other and held strong through such a horrible tragedy, and is what truly kept us going is a story in itself. Another story that he would often tell would be about his opportunity to become a world renowned opera singer, but left with the responsibility of taking care of his parents. It was his dream, but the love he had for his family far surpassed it all. And that if he did actually go through with it, he would have never met his beautiful wife Sandra; had his two beautiful children, Christopher and Alexandra, and years later, his beautiful grandchild, Christina. I’ve learned so much from my Pa Jack. The list is never ending. A few things that come to mind: patience, kindness, compassion, resilience (which is still a challenge given the circumstances) but because of him, I have faith that he will guide my aunt and I, who’ve done everything in our power to take care of him throughout these circumstances, because as much as he believed that there was something much greater than this life as we know it, and had vivid dreams (that he would often relay to others) about our Lord describing the paradise that exists beyond this, I have no doubt that he’s now something huge in heaven. I’ve never met a more charismatic person, so full of wisdom and logic than Jack Poulos.

He had the wit and culture of his father, and the sensitivity and resiliency of his mother, which created an awesome, beyond extraordinary and unique human being. He loved to discuss politics and religion, but never judged others for their opinions. He just wanted everybody to get along, despite whatever trivial BS got in the way.

 In short, he loved life. He loved opera. He loved people. He just loved. And in turn, he was loved by everybody who knew him. Anybody who has ever got the pleasure of meeting him, will never forget how he made them feel. The way he feared absolutely nothing, and had such faith in God, I hold the same faith that he will watch over all of his loved ones — family, friends, even those who most would deem undesirable. Because that’s the amazing soul he was and is. The most jovial and inspiring person I’ll meet in my lifetime. You’re now with your beautiful wife, son, parents, brothers, animals, and friends. May you have unlimited amounts of old fashions, manhattans, red wine, veal parmigiana, meatballs, lasagna, basically all the Italian and Greek food and pastries you could think of.

 Although it seems outlandish, I honestly thought that he would outlive everyone in his family. He never complained and always upheld the mindset of his mother, Mary that whatever life throws your way, you just have to tough it like a soldier going to war (in her beautiful Irish brogue accent). And that’s exactly what he did until the very end. In life, you meet people, and you come from people, but you can’t choose who you come from but there is no doubt that I wouldn’t choose this man in every lifetime. Until we meet again Pa. I love you, always and forever.