Col. John J. 'Jack' Koneazny Jr.

SHEFFIELD — Col. John J. “Jack†Koneazny Jr. of Sheffield and Key Largo, Fla., died Dec. 15, 2010, at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Mass.

Born June 7, 1925, in Hartford, he attended Hartford public schools and entered the U.S. Maritime Service upon graduation from high school. After basic and advanced training he entered the Maritime Officers School of the Army Transportation Service, where he received his third mate’s license. Koneazny received a direct commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Harbor Craft, and was the youngest commissioned officer from the state of Connecticut in World War II.

He served in the European Theater of Operations for two years and one day, receiving two battle stars.

After World War II, he and his brother formed Peerless Tree Expert Co. of North Canaan and Chatham, N.Y. He sold his share to his brother after 30 years and formed Peerless Herbicide Co., which he owned until 1991.

Jack remained in the U.S. Army Reserve and rose to the rank of colonel. He served as battery commander of B battery, 731st Field Artillery Battalion in North Canaan, for seven years. He was a graduate of the Field Artillery School, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Command and Staff College, with honors. After 42 years of service, at his retirement, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

In 1996, he formed a 50th reunion of his World War II unit, the 353rd Harbor Craft Co., and served as the chairman. The colonel was a member of the Reserve Officers Association, Military Officers of America, the American Legion and the VFW. In the winter, he did volunteer work at the Homestead Air Reserve Base in the Retirement Activities Office for many years.

The colonel helped form the Canaan Valley Sporting Club and served as its first president and was on the board of directors for many years. He was nicknamed Cactus Jack, and served as music director for their well-known country music festivals.

Jack served on the original Sheffield Planning Board for seven years, and was chairman for five years. While on the Planning Board, he was instrumental in the acquisition of the Sheffield Town Park, and served as the first president of the Sheffield Recreation Committee.

Jack was an avid yachtsman and blue water sailor. He and his wife, Dottie, lived on their 40-foot sailboat for 19 winters in the Bahamas and the Keys. They had also sailed to Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, the coast of Spain and the Greek islands.

In their retirement they were world travelers, and visited 35 countries and all 50 states.

He was the author of “Signal Hoist for Yachtsmen,†the cookbooks “Only the Best†and “The Moose Cookbook,†now in its seventh printing with more than 12,000 copies sold.

His book on his World War II experiences, “Behind Friendly Lines,†was published in 2002. He served as food editor for The Boating News of Palm Beach and wrote many articles for boating and gardening periodicals. He celebrated his 80th birthday by having published “Tales of the Intercostal Waterway,†about their adventures on their ketch Fayaway.

In addition to his wife, Dorothy, he is survived by his stepson, George Mager and family; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two younger brothers, William C. Koneazny and Richard B. Koneazny.

Col. Koneazny will be cremated and his ashes consigned to sea.

A memorial gathering will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 28, starting at 3:30 p.m. at Crissey Farm, 426 Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington. Military Honors will be presented at 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sheffield Recreation Committee or the Sheffield Land Trust through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.

Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through finnertyandstevens.com.