John D. 'Jack' Pingree Jr., 49

MILTON - John D. "Jack" Pingree Jr., of Milton, passed away at his home on Monday, March 31, 2008. He was 49.

Jack was the manager of the shellfish and recreational water branch of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control for the state of Delaware.

A well known environmentalist, he was a negotiator of many of the state's ocean beaches and shellfish agreements. He was a pioneer in implementing Delaware's beach water program and an advocate for the shellfish industry.

Jack was a man of diplomacy, a leader, and most of all made a difference in the many lives that he touched.

Born in Wilmington on Oct. 17, 1958, he grew up in the Oaklands development in Newark.

Attending Newark public schools from first to 12th grade, Jack graduated in 1976. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware in 1980.

After graduation, Jack lived most of his adult life in Sussex County, moving to Broadkill Beach in 1987.

Jack is survived by his father and stepmother, John and Teresa Pingree; his sister and brother-in-law, Anne and Frank Smith and their children, Matt and Hilary; and his best friend, Debbie Lee Rouse.

A especially loved Dr. Bob Eckrode and his wife Charlene; as well as two lifelong friends from high school, Bob Eckrode and C.W. Angelet; and his beach friends, Lee Swift and Lynn Shugart and her parents, Nelson and Clare.

Jack was preceded in death by his mother, Helen A. Vossbrinck.

Jack was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, better known as the "Pikes," at the University of Delaware.

He was a renaissance man, loved nature and enjoyed working to protect the environment, as well hunting with his buddies at MJP&M Hunting.

Jack was a man who would help anyone with a project, caring to a fault.

He enjoyed writing, painting, music, cooking, history, New Orleans and, most of all, Key West, Fla.

Jack belonged to many organizations, including serving as a board member of the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference, representing the Delaware and the shellfish industry.

He was an advocate for the seafood industry.

Jack enjoyed the Dewey Beach Lions Club meetings and held a director position.

He also got pleasure from politics, was a supporter of the environment and was secretary of the Sussex County LWV.

He looked forward to working the piping competition as a Piping Stewart and bartender each year with the Scottish games. Ian Johnstone will miss him.

Jack Pingree was a man of dreams, looking for the best in everyone, and the nice thing is he always found it. Being an optimist, Jack would always look for the silver lining.

With energy, passion and humor, Jack could save the day and always got the job done.

Most of all he loved his animals, both wild and domestic.

Jack will always be sadly missed by everyone who crossed his path.

A memorial service and reception will be 3 p.m. April 18 at the University of Delaware Virden Retreat Center, 700 Pilottown Road, Lewes.

Arrangements by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.