John "Jack" Markford, 81, of Vero Beach, Florida, passed away April 11, 2019, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Jack was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA in 1938 but raised in Havertown, PA, Elberon, NJ and Yardley, PA.  He served 7 years in the United States Navy Reserves as a gunner's mate.

He was a Civil War buff, loved country and Irish music and loved to sing karaoke at Kelly's Irish Pub and the Elks Lodge in Vero Beach.

Jack managed W.T. Grant stores in Philadelphia, where he received Top Performing Award in 1966, Silver Springs, MD, and Richmond, VA.  He was also the opening manager of the Ben Franklin/ Crafts and Stuff, Vero Beach in 1976.

An active member of the community, Jack received the St. Helen's Fr. Hugh Flynn Award in 1983; Rotary's Service Award in 1989; American Cancer Society's Volunteer of the Year in 1996 and 1997 and Habitat's Construction Volunteer of the Year in 2004.  Jack was a devout Catholic and member of Holy Cross Catholic Church, where he served as an usher.

Jack is survived by his wife of almost 57 years, Cora Markford; beloved son, Danny (Aimee) Markford of Vero Beach; two special grandsons, Austin Markford of Miami and Colton (Kelly) Warren of Ft. Pierce, FL; a precious great-granddaughter, Eleanor "Ellie" Warren; brother, Duane (Mary) Markford of Atlanta, GA; sisters, Rosemary Rosenak of Vero Beach, Maureen Branagan of Langhorne, PA, Elizabeth "Betsy" (Lenny) Polansky of Loveland, CO and many special nieces and nephews.

Preceding Jack in death were his parents, John and Elinor Markford; beloved daughter, Dawn Warren, and brother, Robert "Bob" Markford.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 2 pm, Friday, April 26, 2019, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32963.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the VNA Hospice & Foundation, 1110 35 ^th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.