Jack R. "Grandpa" Shearer

Jack R. "Grandpa" Shearer, 86 passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 surrounded by his family. He was born in Canton on August 13, 1927 to the late Nelson and Ester (Roth) Shearer. Jack attended Avondale Elementary and was a member of the class of 1945 at Lehman High School. After serving two years in the Navy and attending Ohio University, He joined his three-generation family grocery business (Shearer's Market). Jack and Rosemary owned and operated the market up through the late 70's. In 1974 Jack co-founded Brookside Distributing which became Shearer's Foods. Potato chips were first sold under the "Kettle-Cook'd" label. Today Shearer's brand products are sold nationwide. In the early 1990's, Jack turned the leadership of Shearer's Foods over to his sons, Thomas and Robert, and focused his attention on the race horse business. His six horse stable races in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Every fall, Jack purchased an Ohio-eligible yearling or two to compete in the following year's tough Ohio Sire's Series of races. His most famous race horse was Crisp Sahbra, who won many Ohio Sire's races. Twice Crisp Sahbra was named Horse of the Year in Ohio. Jack donated his leadership skills to several organizations. He served eighteen years on the Board of Directors for the East Ohio Food Dealers Association, he was voted Treasurer of the Ohio Quarter Horse Association, and he served as President of the Massillon Club. Northfield Park honored him in 2005 with the Distinguished Owner's Award, and he is a lifetime member of their Wall of Fame. In January 2006, the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association recognized Jack with a Special Appreciation Award for his many years of outstanding service and support of the Standardbred Racing Industry. He is survived by his children Robert (Melissa) Shearer, Susan (Roger) Shearer-Self and Thomas (Kathleen) Shearer; six grandchildren Roger, Stacey, Rodney, Karey, Ryan and Katie; nine great-grandchildren; a brother William (Marcia) Shearer. He was preceded in death by his wife Rosemary (McMahon) Shearer. A special thank you to his care giver of six years, Theresa Horning, the staff at the Inn at University Village and Crossroads Hospice. Friends and family may call at the Paquelet Funeral Home on Friday, January 31, 2014 from 4:00PM – 8:00PM and on Saturday February 1, 2014 from 1:00PM-2:00PM. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 2:00PM in the Paquelet Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice of Green. Messages of condolence and support may be sent to the family at www.paquelet.com Paquelet Funeral Home & Crematory 330-833-3222