Carmel M (Tannatta) Jack

Carmel Marie (Tannatta) Jack, 77, of Guilderland, passed away peacefully on August 5, 2013 at Hospice Inn, St. Peter's Hospital with her loving family by her side.Carmel was the wife of Richard J. Jack, owner of Clardon Swimming Pool Service in Schenectady, NY.She was born in Schenectady, N.Y. on July 16, 1936 to the late Mary (Patriarco) Tannatta and Philip (Felix) Tannatta. Carmel attended Nott Terrace High School, worked for Kay's Drugstore on upper Union Street in Schenectady while endlessly caring for her ailing mother and helping to care for her younger siblings until her marriage to Richard Jack on February 22, 1959. Richard's enlistment in the U.S. Navy brought them to many states until the birth of their first son, at which time they made their home in Colonie.Carmel then began working for the Jack's family-owned restaurant, the Clardon Restaurant on Fuller Road in Albany, N.Y. Upon moving to Guilderland, Carmel took pride and loved and meticulously cared for her home, flowers and fountain that graced her front yard.Carmel designed and cleverly worked with Guilderland High School "shop" students who built her a gazebo as a class project, which became a gathering point in their backyard where she and her husband hosted many pool parties. Carmel was a loving and caring person who opened her door to everyone where nothing short of a banquet was served.She was well known for her famous meatballs.She loved the excitement of occasional games of Bingo with her daughter as well as the thrill of "going north" to spend an hour or two at the Saratoga Racino. Carmel and her husband loved their antique cars and enjoyed traveling to car shows throughout the country.They often participated in the Schenectady Holiday Parade with their antique car "buddies" who truly became their second family. Throughout the years Carmel had two other "buddies", Kinger and Sasha, the family pets. She would care for them and treat them as if they were herchildren. They truly lived a dog's life yet ate like kings and queens. Carmel is survived by her childhood sweetheart and loving husband of 54 years, Richard J. Jack; her son, Richard (Dickie) Jack Jr.; her daughter, Debora (Jack) Simmons (Nelson), who effortlessly took care of her during her illness; her son, Kenneth Jack; her sister, Joyce (Tannatta) Keating (James) of Belmar N.J.; her sister, Beverly (Tannatta) Varno; her brother, Joseph Tannatta; her brother, Raymond Tannatta (Linda); her sister, Diane (Tannatta) Nebolini (Chet); her grandchildren, Ashley Lutz, David Zimmerman (Krista); Carli Zimmerman; Richard (Rickie) Jack III; Kenneth Jack Jr.; her great-granddaughter, Bria Zimmerman;her brother-in-law Charles (Jackie) Jack (Irene); her brother-in-law Frederick (Freddie) Jack, as well as many nieces and nephews. The family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to Carmel's nurse, Kathy Osterhout and the staff of Hospice Inn of St. Peter's Hospital for their dedicated care and compassion. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. at Christ the King Church in Guilderland where Carmel was a communicant. Calling hours are Friday, August 9, 2013 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m., at Christ the King Church, 20 Sumter Ave, Albany, N.Y. 12203. Those wishing to remember Carmel in a special way may send flowers, in keeping with her love of flowers, or may send donations made in Carmel's name, c/o Hospice Inn, St. Peter's Hospital to Community Hospice of Rensselaer County, 295 Valley View Blvd, Rensselaer, New York 12144.