Permanent deacon John “Jack” Freebery Jr. entered this world Sept. 19, 1946, and went home to his heavenly father Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, surrounded by family, the prayers of those who loved him and the faith community. 

Jack was born in Wilmington to John W. Freebery Sr. and Florence (Kelly) Freebery and was the oldest of four sons. Jack was predeceased by his parents and brother, Michael J. Freebery. He is survived by his brothers, Daniel (Diane) Freebery and Patrick (Lisa) Freebery.

Jack began his education at St. Thomas the Apostle and transferred to Corpus Christi Elementary School when his family moved to the town of Elsmere. For high school, Jack attended his beloved Salesianum School and graduated in 1964. Jack spent his freshman year of college at Mount St. Mary’s before transferring to University of Delaware, where he earned his B.S. in elementary education and M.Ed. in school counseling. He later continued his education and earned his doctorate in education leadership in 1978 from NSU in Florida. 

Jack did not stop there! As a fervent Roman Catholic, he applied and was accepted to the diocese’s three-year formation and discernment program. Jack was honored to be a member of the inaugural class and was ordained by Bishop Thomas Mardaga to the clerical order of permanent deacons in 1980. Over the next 40 years, Jack faithfully served as a deacon at Our Lady of Fatima in New Castle, St. Mary of the Assumption in Hockessin, and St. Ann’s in Bethany Beach. 

Jack devoted 37 years to a career in education that began with a teaching job in the Newark Special School District (now known as Christina School District in Newark). After years of teaching grades K-8, he moved into administration and held numerous positions in the New Castle County, Appoquinimink and Red Clay Consolidated School Districts. During his career, he served as assistant principal, principal, and director of elementary and middle schools. He concluded his career as deputy superintendent of Colonial School District and retired in 2007. Jack was extremely grateful for the professional relationships that he built throughout his career, and deeply appreciated the support and lifelong friendships that developed among his colleagues. 

During Jack’s high school years, he was blessed to meet Marie Lynch, his future and forever wife. Marie and Jack were married at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Wilmington in 1968. They loved doing everything together, including swimming, biking, camping, snorkeling, attending their children’s sporting events, church ministry, and especially dancing to ’50s and ’60s rock & roll music. Their first family home was in Penn Acres, New Castle. In 1985, Marie and Jack moved their family to the bucolic community of North Star in Newark. Eventually, they fulfilled a longtime dream when they built their retirement home at the beach in Ocean View in 2004.

Jack is survived by his four wonderful children, Janay (Bruce Hannah), Kasey (Graham Burbage), Mark (Nancy Bennett) and Ann Marie (Brett Workman); and his nine grandchildren, Marie Louise, Kelly, Hannah, Lily, Jack, Addison, Julia, Gavin and Sadie. The grandkids lovingly called him “Papa,” and he savored every moment with them. Jack was eternally grateful to his brother Patrick and his daughter Janay, who each donated a kidney to him, extending both the length and quality of his life. 

Deacon Jack leaves us with one final, brief, but heartfelt homily: “Remember me as loving you!”

A celebration of Deacon Jack’s life will be held with visitation from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday, Sept. 18, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Pkwy., Bethany Beach,  followed by Mass at 3 p.m. A reception will follow in Delaney Hall, located next door to the church, from 4 to 6 p.m.

Interment will be private at the All Saints' Cemetery Chapel in Wilmington. 

In lieu of flowers, Jack’s family requests that any memorial donations be sent to St. Vincent de Paul Conference, 691 Garfield Pkwy., Bethany Beach, DE 19930, 302-539-6449, or Ministry of Caring, 115 E. 14th St., Wilmington, DE 19801-3209, 302-652-5523.