John "Jack" Griffin Skvorak

A funeral mass for John "Jack" Griffin Skvorak, 89, of Walworth, NY, who died on Thursday, August 22, 2024 will be Wednesday at 10AM at St. Joseph's Church in Penfield, NY.

Calling hours are 4:30-7PM on Tuesday at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 6 Empire Blvd., Rochester, NY 14609.

He was a champion for the poor and underserved in a number of different ways, notably as The Organizer of MetroAct and the CEO of Regional Council on Aging. He went to work for the Diocese of Rochester as a Canon lawyer, and consulted as the same in the northeast and Canada. He founded the Tanzania Action Team at St. Joseph's Church following a trip to Tanzania in 2010. He loved children, and tutored for many years for the Wayne Central School district.

Jack was also an excellent athlete. He graduated from Weedsport High School in 1953 and was a member of the Varsity squads for football, basketball and baseball in every eligible year. In 2018 he was inducted into the Weedsport Central School Sports Hall of Fame, joining his father who was previously inducted in 2005. They were the first father-son duo to be so honored. He also coached Babe Ruth baseball for Weedsport, his son David's baseball teams in Walworth and Penfield, and CYO basketball at St. Joseph's as well. 

He loved to play cards, and was a shrewd poker player. Many people smiled because Jack's sense of humor and quick wit. A number of charities benefited from his generous nature throughout his life. He enjoyed being outside in nature, and loved animals of all kinds.

The world was better because he was in it.

Jack is survived by his wife of 52 years, Mary, his son, David, brother Jim (Cathy) of Syracuse, sisters-in-law Bernice Hogue and Cecilia Clausen, and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Tanzania Action Team at St. Joseph's Church in Penfield, or to RocMaidan, a non-profit organization supporting those affected by war in Ukraine