Testimonial from Jack C. Castle

15 Oct Testimonial from Jack C. Castle

“There’s not much of the world that I haven’t seen,” says Jack Castle, at 92 years old one of the more senior residents of Mount Vernon Towers. “But this is my last address. I am very happy to have landed here at Mount Vernon Towers.”

Just six weeks after marrying his high school love Jean in August 1942, Jack sailed on the RMS Aquitania (sister ship of the Lusitania) via Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town to Egypt. After serving in various capacities with hospital outfits throughout the Middle East during the height of WWII, he applied for OCS – Officer Training, and was assigned to the 1689th Engineer Combat Battalion in Oklahoma, where Jean joined him. However, before too long, Jack was sent overseas again, this time to the Marianas and to Japan.

Released after four years, Jack took advantage of the G.I. Bill and got his degree in Business Administration, while at the same time working full time to support his wife and young family. He became controller with what became the Erie Lackawanna Railway, surviving mergers and a number of moves. “Jean and I joked that we never bothered with spring cleaning, we just moved to a new home.”

When he retired after 48 years, Jack and his wife bought an RV and made at least four round-trips throughout the US. They visited every state and also traveled abroad, including trips to Australia and New Zealand, and ultimately settled in Roswell, Georgia to be closer to one of their daughters.

“Then Jean suffered a severe heart attack, and was unable to walk or talk for a while. We needed a place where I could take care of her, where we did not have to negotiate stairs, and where, if necessary, she could get professional care in the same community where we lived. Mount Vernon Towers offered us the perfect solution. We celebrated 67 years of marriage here.”

Since losing Jean three years ago, Jack has enjoyed performing with ‘The Melodears’ (“I have a deep voice and love music”) and visits from his family, including six great- grandchildren.

“They know I am living in a great place, and they don’t need to worry. Life here is easy: great meals in the dining room, lots of social contacts, and my association fee includes any media, utilities and services I need. I traveled all over the world, and found a great place right here in Georgia.”