Sidney "Jack" Hajjar

Sidney John Hajjar, “Jack,” passed away on May 2, 2024 in Milton at 99 years old, surrounded by his loving family. He joined his beloved wife, Evalynne, with whom he enjoyed 62 years of happy marriage. They lived in Milton, Massachusetts since 1980, surrounded by their three children, eleven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.

Jack lived a life of selfless service to his country, to his friends, and most of all to his family and faith. Born in Quincy in 1924 to two Lebanese immigrants — Charles and Susan— Jack had three sisters, Julia, Mabel, and Linda. Jack loved his sisters deeply, and cared for each of them until their last days. He even built them, along with their mother, homes next to each other on South Street in Quincy in the late 1950s.

As a young boy, Jack worked in the family restaurant and managed his parking lots across from the Quincy Shipyard. From his post he watched history unfold as the country geared up for war overseas. While the nation was drawn deeper into the conflict, Jack was attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology as the first college student in his family. Before graduating with an engineering and business degree, he answered the call to service and enlisted at the Commonwealth Armory in the Navy where he served as an aviation technician’s mate, second class. After serving honorably for three years, he earned a degree in 1948 as a part of MIT Sloan’s first graduating class. He went on to earn a law degree from Boston University.

After completing his studies, the young bachelor’s life was marked by new adventures — including returning to Lebanon with his family — but none greater than meeting the love of his life. "It was love at first sight," Jack always said tearily, "there was never a dull moment." They met in 1959 in Chicago at a fundraiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, an organization they generously supported for over 60 years. From the start, they shared founder Danny Thomas’ dream of “no child dying in the dawn of life,” and helped grow it to the largest charity in the country.

Jack and Evalynne were married in 1961 in New York City. Evalynne, a vivacious Okie who worked for the Saudi Arabian delegation to the United Nations and traveled the world, used to lovingly tease Jack for being an “uptight New Englander.” A child of the Great Depression, Jack preferred a simple life of saving and making do. His family attributes his remarkable longevity and good health to his marked sense of moderation. Even into his nineties, Jack tended to his garden, cooked, and traveled.

And though Jack was an understated “New Englander,” his austere sensibilities melted away for the love of his life. Whether she wanted to dance, to travel, or to host a party, Jack joyfully agreed. They traveled the world together, covering every continent, and making friends at every stop. They often welcomed those friends into their homes. To those who had the privilege of witnessing their marriage, it was marked by love, generosity, faith, and plenty of impromptu kitchen waltzes to Frank Sinatra. He cared for her dutifully until the end of her days, through her Alzheimers.

Aside from his family, Jack’s greatest legacy will be his humble sense of generosity. Jack’s mentality of moderation led to prosperity, which he shared with everyone around him. He quietly made countless careers, helped many friends and families start new lives, and constantly supported his favorite charities and his Melkite church. But even in his final days, when thanked by family and friends for his generosity, Jack refused to take credit for the lives he helped build.

Jack and Evalynne lovingly raised three children, Helaine, Chuck, and John. His eleven grandchildren—Anthony, Andrew, Jaci, Charles, Carine, Christopher, Nicholas, Maria, Richard, Victoria, and Sydney—and three great grandchildren—Jack, Cora, and Corey—had the privilege of growing up just down the street from their “Jiddoo,” their greatest role model. We owe it all to you, Jiddoo.

Jack’s Funeral Service will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Annunciation Melkite Cathedral, 7 VFW Parkway West Roxbury. Visitation will be held in the Cathedral from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jack’s memory may be made to the Cathedral or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Jack will be laid to rest with his beloved Evalynne at Blue Hill Cemetery in Braintree.

Our Lady of the Annunciation Melkite Catholic Cathedral
7 VFW Pkwy, West Roxbury MA 02132
Web: http://www.bostonmelkite.org

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Web: http://www.stjude.org