John ‘Jack’ Chambers

By Ryan Schlehuber

John T. “Jack” Chambers

John T. "Jack" Chambers, 79, died Friday morning, April 1, after having long established himself on Mackinac Island, his hometown, as a colorful community member and successful businessman. He enjoyed arguing politics and just about anything else with friends and strangers at the bar and, with his stinging wit, rarely lost.

Mr. Chambers had been living in St. Ignace for several years and died at Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care after being a patient there for only a few days.

He was born in Chicago on January 29, 1926, to Edward and Mary Chambers and was reared by his uncle and his sister, Tom and Ann Chambers, on Mackinac Island after his mother died when he was four years old.

Island resident Jeannette Doud remembers Mr. Chambers growing up with his grandfather, William Chambers, known as "Cannonball Bill."

"For many years, the family owned and operated the famous chicken restaurant known as the Cannonball at British Landing," said Ms. Doud. "It was so very popular as folks stopped by for delicious home-cooked dinners.

"Mr. Chambers was an avid gardener and produced all the fresh fruit and vegetables which were served at the dinners," she continued. "I can remember Jack’s grandfather coming into town each day with produce from the garden, which he would sell to all his customers. The one that I will never forget were the huge strawberries he raised on Mackinac.

"Following the early death of Jack’s mother," said Ms. Doud, "he and his brother, Bill, could be seen playing in the open spaces at British Landing. Their devoted Aunt Ann and Uncle Tom gave the boys loads of tender loving care."

Mr. Chambers lived on the Island much of his life, though he graduated from high school in Chicago. He served in the Merchant Marines during World War II, returning to the Island in 1946 with many fond memories, which he shared almost to his death.

When he returned from the war, he began his working career as a delivery man, delivering milk, gas, and ice cream on the Island, crossing the ice bridge with his horse and wagon in the winter. He would later become vice president at Mackinac Island Carriage Tours.

Mr. Chamber’s business success includes owning the original Village Inn Restaurant, a gift shop, and the Orpheum movie theater.

He was one of three businessmen who formed Mackinac Island’s Department of Public Works (DPW) in 1971 to provide the Island’s water and sewer needs, along with the late Sam McIntire and R.D. Musser Jr., who continues as the board’s chairman.

"Jack made immense contributions to the DPW," said Mr. Musser. "He was a thinker and extremely good with figures, and so quick to understand. Jack was bright and extremely straight forward and also an honest guy. If he gave you his word on something, you could take it to the bank. I had, and have, a lot of respect for him."

He was instrumental in digging the city out of debt over a dilapidated water and sewer infrastructure, Mr. Musser said. "He was such a bright guy and had wonderful ideas. He basically started the system that Carriage Tours still has for his reservation system," Mr. Musser added, "and perfected it for Arthur Chambers."

"He has been my friend for 50 years," he continued. "I had a lot of fun with him over the years. When he was running the VI, he didn’t like neckties very much and I learned to take them off early when I went in there."

Jack Chambers also served as the city’s building inspector for many years and was elected the city assessor for 28 consecutive one-year terms, a position that allowed him to sit on the Board of Review with the mayor and supervisor. Ron Dufina, who operates the new Village Inn on Mackinac Island, has been the supervisor serving on the Board of Review with Mr. Chambers for many of those years.

"Jack was like a father to me," said Mr. Dufina. "He was my father’s best friend."

The late Charles Dufina, a contractor on the Island, befriended Mr. Chambers while building the theater at Moral Re-armament, now Mission Point Resort Mr. Chambers was hired by Mr. Dufina’s father and became best friends. The theater is still in use.

Ron Dufina said he not only learned carpentry skills from Mr. Chambers, he learned integrity.

Mr. Chambers was known for his political debates and conversations and his opinions influenced many ideas that are now city standards. He was a smart man, said Mr. Dufina, a man who could talk to anyone about anything.

"He taught me things you can’t learn in school," he said. "He taught me the value of business and personal relationships."

Mr. Dufina credits Mr. Chambers for the business success he enjoys today.

"In 1971, I had a chance to buy a gift shop and Jack told me to ‘get your tab written down and do it,’ and so I did, and that started my business ownership career."

Jack Chambers was tough and hard-nosed and could be caustic in his arguments. His boat was named "Ain’t Scar’d," a phrase he liked to use.

Tom Hawker of St. Ignace, a bartender at the Village Inn and a best friend to Mr. Chambers for more than 15 years, describes Mr. Chambers as "a hard shell on the outside, but he had a heart of gold." He also saw Mr. Chambers as a father figure.

"He was ornery and grumpy, but there was nothing he wouldn’t do for me and there was nothing I wouldn’t do for him," said Mr. Hawker. "We’re going to miss him."

Mr. Chambers is survived by a brother and his family, Bill and Helen Chambers of Chicago and by his nieces and nephews, Edward, Mary, and Patrick, and Tom Chambers, who he raised as a son. He is also remembered by his special friends, Ron and Mary Dufina of Mackinac Island, and Tom Hawker of St. Ignace.

No visitation or funeral is planned. A memorial service will be held later at the Village Inn in St. Ignace with Mr. Chambers’ ashes present.

Dodson Funeral Home in St. Ignace is handling arrangements.