At the end of this month, John “Jack” Moore will celebrate his 92nd birthday. During World War II, Jack Moore served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Recently, Assemblymember Kansen Chu recognized Jack Moore as the Veteran of the Year for the 25th Assembly District. Born in the small Contra Costa County town of Byron, Jack Moore has been calling Santa Clara home since 1953.
“Dad and Mom met in a Catholic parish teen dance social in Oakland,” said Emmy Moore Minister, oldest daughter of Jack Moore and his wife Mary Moore. “When they married and moved to Santa Clara from Oakland, they joined a newly formed parish called St. Justin’s. This trails back before the church on Homestead Rd. (current location) was even built. The parish started in a stable on Scott Blvd. The men’s organization at the church was called The Stablemates, of which Dad was a member for several decades. On occasion [my father volunteered his time] doing brickwork around the church on Homestead Rd.”
In the past, Jack Moore has also received other honors. In November 2016, he was recognized during Valor (Veterans) Week at Mission College for his service in the military. Jack Moore is currently a member of Santa Clara’s American Legion.
“With Dad being a veteran in his senior years, we are very appreciative to the VA (Veterans Affairs) Medical Center and its superior medical staff,” Emmy Moore Minister. “They have provided excellent care to our Dad and offered sage advice to our family over the years and continue to do so to this day, for which we are forever grateful.”
To provide for his family, wife and six children, Jack Moore worked as a brick mason for over 40 years before retirement. Notable locations he performed brick laying for include the original Valley Fair Mall, Kaiser Permanente Hospital (on Kiely Blvd.) and Santa Clara University. Mary Moore worked at Macy’s for over 25 years. The Moore’s children include John Moore Jr., who served in the Army Reserves; Kevin Moore, former Santa Clara City Councilmember; and Emmy Moore Minister, former chairperson of the City of Santa Clara’s Planning Commission and founder of Doctors Orders: Play Golf. Today this family has expanded to include 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Jack Moore, who has Irish ancestry, likes reading and watching travel videos about Ireland and playing Irish folk music. An avid sports fan, he roots for the Oakland A’s, the Golden State Warriors, the San Francisco Giants and the San Francisco 49ers.