WELLFLEET — Jack Stetson died peacefully at home on Feb. 28, 2020, after a long illness. He was 80 years old.
He was born and raised in Newton and spent many happy summers in Wellfleet with his family. He graduated from Newton High School in 1957.
Jack attended Duke University, where he formed lifelong friendships with his fraternity brothers in Theta Chi. After college, he moved to Atlanta as a result of a spontaneous road trip with his best friend, Dave Wilbert.
In 1962 he met his future wife, Judy Warnecke. They married in June 1964 and started a family; their daughters arrived in 1968 and 1970.
In 1971 they moved to Wellfleet, where they have lived ever since. Jack was proud of the family home that he and Judy built; they did the heavy lifting and drove the nails themselves. He worked for many years drilling water wells as the owner of Acme Well.
Jack enjoyed music, reading, sharing jokes, and talking politics. He loved telling a good story. His tales of the house construction, well drilling jobs, and midnight rock climbing are part of the family folklore.
He was predeceased by his son-in-law Karl Barrio. He is survived by his wife, Judy, his daughters Kathy Stetson and Kristen Stetson, son-in-law Dave Powers, and grandchildren Casey Powers, Jack Barrio, and Samantha Barrio.
A private burial will be held in the spring. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to the VNA of Cape Cod Hospice Program or the Colitis and Crohn’s Foundation. Online condolences can be sent to the family at nickersonfunerals.com.
