Obituary: Jack Ballard, Winter Park legend

John F. “Jack” Ballard always hoped that his obituary would start with, “after finally getting a hole in one…” but that was not to be. The beloved Winter Park realtor was a legend on and off the golf course, making friends everywhere he went, sharing a joyful and laughter-filled life with his wife Joan, of 56 years.

Born on April 29, 1933 in Providence, Rhode Island, Jack met “Joanie” while in college and they fell head over heels in love. He’d found his soulmate, the mother of his children, his partner, his best friend for life. Together they set out to conquer the world.

Jack is survived by his wife, Joan and his three children: Jay (Luanne), of Orlando, Maryanne (Paul) of Tampa and Jennifer (Eli) of Brooklyn, NY. Poppy Jack will be missed by his grandchildren Monique and Ali Pitre, and Ryall and Ronin, Janney He also leaves behind his sister Jean, of North Carolina, his brother, William, of Connecticut, and his brother Ted of Massachuessets as well as Alex and Caroline, the neighbor children who adopted him as their next door grandpa.

A graduate of Brown University, Jack was a well-respected realtor for over 40 years and was a member of the Greater Orlando Realtors Association. He was also a member of Interlachen Country Club, as well as the Winter Park Rotary Club. Jack offered wisdom and expertise to his clients and friends, on a consistent basis. Jack’s colleagues at Fannie Hillman Real Estate constantly admired his positive attitude, commenting in awe that they never knew if his smile was because he’d just closed a million dollar sale, or completed another round of chemo. His smile was genuine and contagious.

To know Jack, was to love Jack. It’s hard to imagine Winter Park without him. We’re pretty sure he’s finally getting that hole-in- one in heaven, with his Mom Margaret, his Father Edwin, his sisters Peggy and Katherine.

The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to all of Jacks friends, his colleagues, his caretakers, his neighbors. Thank you for sharing in our joys, our heartaches, and our love of Jack, as he navigated his cancer journey, with dignity and grace.