JACK B. KATZ

Jack Bernard Katz

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

5/6/1955- 2/26/2023

Preceded in death by his parents Irene B. Katz & Hon. Leon Katz 

Wife, Eileen Katz (Giordano) Father of Rose Katz-Gobeli (Sam) and Jordan Katz (Lauren). Pop-Pop to Charley & Alessi. Great friends, James McMenamin, Marc Haber, and Dr. Douglas Kase.

Born in Philadelphia, PA (just like Philly Soul music), Jack attended Chestnut Hill Academy which shaped a huge part of his story.  There he met his best friends for life, James (Jim) McMenamin and Marc Haber.  Through life’s ups and downs, they always rode the waves together.  Jack went on to attend Syracuse University where he met his “roomie” Doug Kase and studied Psychology.  Jack then went to Law School at Temple University.  It was there he met his future wife Eileen, and they married in 1980 at Palumbo’s.  Jack and Eileen settled into a home on Bainbridge Street which they took great pride in restoring.  Jack began his law career at the City of Philadelphia Solicitor’s Office where he defended worker’s compensation matters.  From there, he was recruited by Sagot & Jennings to become part of their firm handling worker’s compensation matters.  One of Jack’s crowning achievements was the publication of the “Worker’s Compensation Handbook” which helped injured workers understand the mechanisms of the worker’s compensation system.   Jack ultimately became a partner with the firm.  He went on to practice for many years in this field, seeking justice for injured workers.

Upon retirement, Jack started volunteering at Philabundance.  What began as a way to give back, quickly became a passion project. Jack ran various food distribution sites in the tri-state area.  He went above and beyond to ensure the clients not only got the food they needed, but simultaneously had a great time by bringing a stereo to each location and playing music from his infamous playlist. Over the top generosity was a trademark of Jack Katz.  As colleague Clarice Smith described, “He wanted to do anything he could to help everybody.”

Jack’s biggest source of pride and joy were his children Rose and Jordan.  This started at a young age where any free time was spent in the side yard of Woodstone Drive in Voorhees, New Jersey, kicking soccer balls through piles of leaves, fielding countless fly balls, and making throws to “SECOND BASE”! As the years went by, Jack could be seen at any soccer field, basketball court, hockey rink, or diamond occupied by Rose or Jordan. Jack’s wardrobe was a walking billboard for his children and their various teams or companies.  Jack’s love for Rose and Jordan would only be surpassed by the birth his granddaughters Charley & Alessi.

Jack loved to travel.  Some of his many destinations included Del Mar, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Cabo San Lucas, St. Thomas, and Disney World.  As an avid Phillies fan, Jack went to Spring Training in Clearwater, Florida with Rose for 10 consecutive years. 

Music was the key to Jack’s world.  His go to artists included Hall and Oates, Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, Elvis Costello, Paul Simon, the Eagles, Ben Folds Five, Meyer Hawthorne, anything Motwon or soulful, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, and the Bee Gees.  Above them all is “Todd is God” Rundgren.  Jack would travel near and far with his dearest friends, Pat & Gary Morlock, to enjoy countless live concerts.

Jack loved living in Fairmount Park.  He could often be spotted walking his French Bulldog, Ali, over to Little Pete’s to get a black and white milkshake. Jack’s giving nature was self-evident in every aspect of his life. People were attracted to his humor, his cheer, his kindness.

I won't do it for money, I won't do it for pride

I won't do it to please somebody else if it don't feel right

But I'll do it for you and, at least, I'll try

I don't need any other reason than I feel it deep inside

I'll do it for love, -Daryl Hall & John Oates

Chapel Services will be held at 

11:00AM on Thursday, March 2^nd, 2023

Joseph Levine & Sons, Inc. 

4737 E Street Rd, Feasterville-Trevose, PA 19053

The family will begin recieving by 10:20am.

Chapel services may be viewed live at www.levinefuneral.com/trevose-webcam.

Followed by the entombment at Roosevelt Memorial Park. 

Please consider making any contributions in Jack’s memory to: 

Mount Zion CME Food Pantry

701 Felton Avenue

Sharon Hill, PA 19079