Jack Schooley of Friday Harbor passed away on June 2, 2024 at PeaceHealth Hospital in Bellingham Washington, comforted and cared for by his partner Deb and her daughter Tabetha, her grandsons LeeLand and Brycen as well as Jack’s four sisters Lynn Lois Jean and Joan. Jack was so lucky that close and dear friends and family members from here and afar came by, called, texted and emailed heartfelt messages and brought Jack smiles and laughs as they shared memories and said hellos and good-byes.

Jack’s passion was sailing and he lived for that. Jack and Deb skippered their wooden sailboat Nymph of Lorne for many adventures throughout Puget Sound, the San Juans, British Columbia, Seattle, and was an exhibitor at the Wooden Boat Festivals in Port Townsend and Deer Harbor. In other years he sailed to Alaska, in the Florida Keys, in Vero Beach Florida, to Nantucket, in the Chesapeake Bay… He would thank his father for giving him his sailing expertise and his love of sailing over the many years they sailed and raced in Barnegat Bay, NJ.

He chose to live in the magnificent San Juan Islands for the deep waters of the Puget Sound and the expansive adjacent waterways and to nurture his lifelong adventurous spirit and love of the outdoors.

Jack’s degrees were in Geography/Cartography/Geology. Many may know that Jack’s favorite author is Patrick O’Brian and he read the 20 novels in the Aubrey-Maturin series countless times. He mapped the ocean’s floor all over the world. He was a lifelong romantic. He wrote great tales of his travels and penned many a hilarious comedic story. Many many hours, days, weeks and months in ‘The Boat Barn’ — aka The Shop — were devoted to developing clever, functional, workable fixes for his boat and everyday life for more accessible living… brought to fruition with the helping hands and minds of his circle of friends.

A special thank you to Patrick and Gretchen and Forrest for bringing Jack into their family with love and generosity during his years in beautiful and peaceful Friday Harbor.

A Celebration of Life will occur at a future date.

Donations can be made and are gladly accepted for the mobility van on San Juan:

Freewheelin’ Rides, Rebecca Rhodes, 1408 Bailor Hill Road, Friday Harbor, WA 98250.