Jack Edward Bright

Jack Edward Bright, age 89 passed away peacefully on Monday, January 16, 2017 at Westside Village Healthcare. He had lived at Westside Gardens in Indianapolis for the past two years. Jack was very happy, and loved it there and they loved him.

Jack was born on June 23, 1927 in Washington, Indiana to Clifford and Eldena Bright. He grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio area.
At the age of 17, He decided to join the Merchant Marines. As he put it “to see the world”, and that he did. During the last year of WWII, he was on several different ships that brought wounded soldiers back to the U.S. from Europe. He was a ship stewart, (cleaning crew). When the war ended he went back home to find he had been drafted. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and soon sent overseas to Europe and stationed in Italy. There, he was assigned to Medic Transportation, where he drove many different vehicles. It didn’t take long for him to meet a beautiful Italian girl, Onorina “Rina” Presani, the love of his life. They were married in a small church in Trieste, Italy. It was the first military wedding performed and the celebration lasted 3 days. When his service time was over, Jack took his war-bride home to the US. A few years later her mother, Angelina was able to come to their home to live. Both, had become US Citizens and were very proud of that.
Jack and Rina had 4 girls, Susan Angela, Gloria Jean, Pamela Jane and Sandra Eldena. They moved from Cincinnati to Indianapolis to raise their family. Jack held different jobs, but retired from an Insurance Company. Through those years two of their daughters’ passed away, Gloria and then Susan. The Lord kept them strong and their faith kept them going. He was a faithful member and a deacon of Eagledale Baptist church, now known as Crosspointe Baptist Church. They were married, one month shy of 58 years, before the Lord took Rina home.
It wasn’t until Jack retired, that he found the job he loved doing, Driving. He loved driving people around. Meeting new people, seeing new faces and making new friends. He drove limos, and shuttle buses. In 1999, He got the opportunity to be Jay Leno's personal Chauffeur at the Indianapolis 500, on race day. He enjoyed dancing and being with people. That was his life. But what he enjoyed most was singing. He always sang, He loved his karaoke. Which he did regularly at the many clubs he supported.
Jack was a Lifetime member of the American Legion 500, the Moose 500, the VFW, AmVet, and the Merchant Marine Chapter in Indiana.
Jack has passed away, he is at peace, with his beloved wife, and two daughters, in Heaven with Our Lord, singing with the angels. He left behind two daughters and their husbands, Pam and Dan Devlin and Sandy and Chip Waling, along with 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
His memory will live on, His sweet smile, his laugh, his kindness and sweet spirit through everyone that knew him. May all find Peace and Eternal Life in Our Lord Jesus Christ as Jack did.
Services will be held at Flanner and Buchanan Washington Park North, Viewing on Sunday, Jan. 22nd from 2-5pm and the Funeral Monday, Jan. 23rd at 11:00am.