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Boxer Honors Memory Of Santa Cruz Resident James Meehan

Senator praises life and work of "remarkable man"

Washington, DC-U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer today honored the memory of Santa Cruz resident James "Jack" Meehan in a statement placed into the Congressional Record.During his life, Meehan served as a Santa Cruz City Planning Commissioner and Santa Cruz Port District Commissioner, pilot, space industry pioneer, and community volunteer. rise to share with my colleagues the memory of a remarkable man, James "Jack" Meehan," Boxer stated as part of her tribute. "Throughout his life he compiled an extraordinary record of devotion to his family, his community and our nation. We will always be grateful for Jack's heroic service defending our nation, our freedoms and our way of life."

The entire text of Senator Boxer's Congressional Record Statement is below.

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JAMES "JACK" MEEHAN: IN MEMORIAM

Mr. President, I rise to share with my colleagues the memory of a remarkable man, James "Jack" Meehan of Santa Cruz, California who died on Saturday, October 25, 2003. Throughout his life he compiled an extraordinary record of devotion to his family, his community and our nation. Jack was an 84-year-old longtime Santa Cruz resident, former Santa Cruz City Planning Commissioner and Santa Cruz Port District Commissioner, pilot, space industry pioneer, community volunteer and beloved husband, father and grandfather.

Jack was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He married Brenda McGourty in 1942 and she remained his devoted partner for 57 years until her death in 1999. Jack and Brenda had three children: daughter Diana and sons Terry and Tom.

He served as an Army Air Corps pilot in Europe during World War II. After his plane was shot down, Jack's bravery helped him successfully evade capture. We will always be grateful for Jack's heroic service defending our nation, our freedoms and our way of life.

During the 1950's, Jack put his aviation skills to use as a Viking rocket designer and tester in New Mexico. He was a pioneer in this field because the Viking rocket was a precursor to the Vanguard rocket which launched America's first satellite.

In 1959, Jack and his family settled in beautiful Santa Cruz. Jack tested satellites at Lockheed Martin in nearby Sunnyvale. He continued to pilot small planes until he gave that up in 1977. But of course, Jack's irrepressible spirit kept him very active, and he began boating in the Monterey Bay. Like everything Jack did, he gave boating his all and joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary, assisting in sea rescues. He also taught weather forecasting and radio communications.

In 1981, he was appointed to the Santa Cruz Port Commission, a position to which he was twice re-elected over the next 17 years. He also served as a Santa Cruz City Planning Commissioner.

After Jack retired, he was a devoted volunteer for the Santa Cruz County Red Cross. He built HAM radio systems, traveled and practiced his French language skills. Recalls his son Tom, "Sportscars, TV's, HAM radios and computers were all puzzles to be unwrapped with his tools and insight."

His daughter Diana commented, "I most admire that he was brave and loving. He was romantic, tender and funny with my mother. He was a caring father." Throughout his life, Jack was constantly helping anyone in need. As one friend and neighbor explained of Jack and Brenda, "they always served the community."

Jack had a wonderful sense of humor. Even when he was sick and in the hospital, his caregivers would leave the room smiling because of his joking. "He had a quick wit that was kind, playful and relentless. He had a distinctive Jack Meehan laugh and you could find him in airports and crowded restaurants by that laugh," remembered son Terry. Added son Tom, "Whenever asked about his favorite time of life, he'd always respond 'right now, and in the future!'" James "Jack" Meehan is survived by his daughter Diana, sons Terry and Tom and six grandchildren. He was an exceptional man.