John “Jack” Sharkey, a World War II veteran, celebrates his 101st birthday with his daughters Christine Thomas (left) and Barbara Sharkey.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
RIVERVIEW – World War II veteran John “Jack” Sharkey, 101, was honored by Mayor Andrew Swift, the band Guitars from Heaven, and the staff and residents of Atria Kinghaven Senior Living.
Sharkey was born July 5, 1925, in St. Jacques, Mich., and is a member of the Chippewa Ottawa tribe.
As a member of the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, he participated in the D-Day invasion in Normandy June 6, 1944, aboard LST-327, a landing ship tank, delivering troops and equipment.
Sharkey married Ruth Erickson in November 1946, and they raised eight children. They were married for 72 years before she died in 2018. Three of his sons have also predeceased him.
After his military service he worked as a lumberjack in the Upper Peninsula before taking a job on the Great Lakes coal carrier Maida, which took him away from his family for long periods of time. He rose to the rank of captain before retiring.
Sharkey enjoyed the outdoors and woodworking, and was known for his character, resilience and work ethic, and his daughters said he had a calm, laid-back personality.
John “Jack” Sharkey, 101, of Riverview, prepares to blow out the candles on his birthday cake.
John “Jack” Sharkey, a World War II veteran, is shown in his Coast Guard uniform and with fellow service members.
Riverview Mayor Andrew Swift (left) reads a proclamation honoring 101-year-old World War II veteran John “Jack” Sharkey, while Guitars from Heaven band members Ed White and Cain Eggers listen July 7 at Atria Kinghaven Senior Living.
Atria Kinghaven Senior Living staff honor 101-year-old World War II veteran John “Jack” Sharkey with a cake, balloons and an “aged to perfection” baseball cap.