Jack Ziegler, 74, of Lancaster, PA, passed away peacefully at home with his wife, after a long and arduous journey with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare neurological disease.  He was a trooper until the very end, never complaining and fighting admirably not to let it slow him down.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Jack was the son of the late Augustus & Lorraine (Tractman) Ziegler.  He was a 1966 graduate of South Philadelphia "Southern" High School.  He received an Associate Degree in Applied Sciences from Philadelphia Community College in 1970, and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science in 1972.

From an early age, Jack was a hard worker and full of energy with a long list of jobs, including parking cars at a corner lot in Wildwood, NJ, at age 13 with his brother.  They would laugh about learning how to drive on-the-job.  He loved telling stories from his "Wildwood Days" where he spent his summers growing up at the beachside inns his mother owned.  For many years, he worked for the Watson family, at their restaurant in Wildwood, and the Merion Inn in Cape May.  He liked to work at night, so that he could enjoy his days on the beach.  Perhaps his most fun summer job was working at the Aquarama, which hosted dances and bands, airing on live TV.  One night, a band was scheduled to be televised, but their drummer was sick. They asked Jack to fill in.  Not a drummer, he just had to pretend he was playing.

Jack worked with friends at United Engineers in Philadelphia, where they had fun singing oldies a cappella in the stairwells.  Top on his list of jobs was hawking beer at Veteran's Stadium.  Jack ultimately found his niche in retail, which led him to a career spanning 45 years -- 15 with Pomeroy's Department Store, first as a buyer and then a store manager in Wilkes Barre, and then 30 with Boscov's.  A math and numbers guy, Jack loved being a store manager.  For 18 years, he was the manager of the Boscov's in Lancaster, PA, which was the first Boscov's to exceed $40 million in annual sales volume and ranked the number one store, under his leadership. His competitive business side was strong, but Jack also loved working with his staff, coworkers, and customers.  He loved and admired Al Boscov, and always followed his retail philosophy that shopping should be fun, and when it came to customer service, to always make a friend.  Jack made lifelong friendships during his time at Boscov's, a company he loved.

It was at Boscov's, where Jack met his wife Peggy, originally from Washington, DC, when he interviewed her to be the Lancaster store's Public Relations and Events Director.  She transferred to Lancaster two weeks later, expecting to be there for a couple of years before she moved back to DC.  Jack changed those plans, and their story lasted 32 years until the day he died. They shared a love of traveling, especially to the south of France, where they attended the Cannes Film Festival annually, adding a week in a different country, each trip.  Their favorite destinations always included a beach, whether it was on the Mediterranean, in the tropics or at the Jersey shore, it didn't matter.

On Jack's 53rd birthday, he and Peggy learned they were expecting triplets. Those three babies, were his world.  He planned his schedule months in advance, so that he could be at every school event, and was immensely proud of them.  He treasured visiting the trips at their three different universities and attending sporting events with them.  Jack was so looking forward to attending their graduations this year, but will be there in spirit, watching from above and cheering loud enough for all to hear.

Jack also has a son, Jason, from a previous marriage to Anita Profilio Ziegler.  Jason is the owner of Lancaster Pickle Company.

After Jack retired, he and Peggy opened a fun business for the family that was Totally Nutz .  Fresh roasting cinnamon glazed nuts with seasonal locations in Lancaster at Central Market, Park City Center, and Spooky Nook Sports and in Cape May at The Akroteria.  Jack and Peggy had the most fun, when they took the business on the road to major events.

Jack loved working in his yard, playing Blackjack and Roulette, and (his favorite hobby) drinking Miller Lite.  He also loved to dance, never sitting out a song at a party or wedding.  He was a die-hard Philadelphia sports team fan, especially the Eagles and Phillies, whom he hoped would bring home a Super Bowl win and World Series Cup this year in his honor!

Jack served as a board member with executive or chair positions for Rotary International Wilkes Barre, Junior Achievement of South Central Pennsylvania, and The Lancaster Summer Arts Festival.  Jack volunteered and spearheaded fundraisers for many Lancaster non-profit organizations, but his favorite was volunteering for Buchanan Elementary, Wheatland Middle and McCaskey High Schools.

In addition to his wife, Peggy Mast Ziegler, Jack is survived by his children, Jason of Lancaster; Emma at Temple University, Philadelphia; Sophie at Penn State University, State College; and Jack at the University of Florida, Gainesville.  Additional survivors include his siblings, Gary & Pat (Ainsworth) Ziegler of Zion Grove, PA, Ellen Ziegler Arnold of Philadelphia, and George & Joyce (Gelletich) Ziegler of Wildwood Crest, NJ; in-laws, Bennett & Carol Mast Beach of Bethesda, MD; Mike & Patricia Mast Russell of Alexandria, VA; David Mast of Falls Church, VA; and Steve & Joanne Mast Valentine of Austin, TX;  many nieces and nephews, his Aunt Lynn Tractman, his cousin, Elisa Lewis, and his beloved pooches, Lanie and Lacie.  In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Jeane Mast, his brother-in-law, David Arnold, one nephew and his best friend, Buddy.

In Jack's memory and honor, please consider making a donation to Cure PSP ( https://www.psp.org ), McCaskey Friends of Music ( https://www.mccaskeymusic.org/donate ) and/or Humane Pennsylvania ( https://humanepa.org/donate/ )

Jack's memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, October 21 at 3pm.  For details, please email JZsMemorial@gmail.com.  Jack lived life to the fullest, never letting anything or anyone get to him.  Party on Jack!