Presidio Little League: Presidio News: Service held April 23, 2009 for Jack Hacker, long time Presidio Little League coach.
Friday, April 24Service held April 23, 2009 for Jack Hacker, long time Presidio Little League coach.
Jackson B. Hacker, a coach at Presidio Little League for 38 years, passed away from heart failure on Thursday, April 2, 2009. Jack was born in Dallas, Texas on November 5, 1923 and moved to San Diego at the age of six. He attended Pacific Beach Elementary and Junior High schools and graduated in 1942 from La Jolla High.
Shortly after graduation, Jack was accepted to the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point in New York and received his first commission just before his 19th birthday. Along with serving in the Merchant Marines, Jack served in the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict in the Pacific Theatre.
After service to his country, Jack returned to San Diego where he met a childhood friend from Pacific Beach, Dorothy Wilson, on a streetcar in downtown San Diego. Soon Jack and Dorothy were married and spent over 60 years together as husband and wife. The center of Jack's life was his family. Jack and Dorothy raised four children in their Mission Hills home where they lived since 1960; Liz, Jack Jr., Barbara and Rick. Jack and Dorothy have six grandchildren; Lucas, Scott, Brett, Ryan, Avery and Matthew. Matthew preceded Jack in death in 1990.
One of Jack's great passions was his love of baseball. He took Dorothy to a baseball game on their first date! He was an accomplished baseball player at La Jolla High and passed on that passion to his sons, who both had successful college baseball careers. Jack was a baseball coach at Presidio Little League for 38 years. He made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of kids in Mission Hills. "Jack Hacker Field" is named in his honor at Sefton Park in Mission Valley where he was honored during this year's "Opening Day." Jack was also involved in the annual Lions High School Baseball Tournament and supported Junior College and San Diego State baseball programs.
Jack made an impact on his neighborhood and community by serving in both small and large ways. His neighbors called him "The Mayor of Pringle Street." He wrote personal notes and birthday cards for his neighbors and was always willing to take care of homes, yards and pets when families were out of town. Jack always took the time to say hello and chat with strangers and neighbors passing by his home on their daily walks.
He also served the City of San Diego by being involved in numerous lighting events around the city including the Bali Hai, El Cid in Presidio Park, as well as the Japanese Friendship Garden and Christmas Tree in Balboa Park. Jackson B. Hacker had a servant's heart. He did little acts that others didn't think of doing. He generously gave his time and talents to serve other people. Faithfulness and commitment were the fabric of his life.
Donations may be made in the name of Jackson B. Hacker to Mercy Clinic at Scripps Mercy Hospital Endowment Fund restricted for the Children of the Pediatric Department, 4077 5th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103. The Presidio Little League would like to express its heart-felt condolences to his family.