Jack Harvey
Jack V. Harvey, beloved husband of 51 years to the late Fredrica P. Harvey and devoted father of Catherine Harvey McDonald of Hussars Camp Place in Ridgefield, John P. Harvey of Dover, DE, and Fredrica A. Harvey of Boston, MA, died on Saturday April 26, at the age of 92. He was a resident of Ridgefield, CT, since 2011, formerly a longtime resident of Alexandria, VA. Mr. Harvey arranged the sales of hundreds of radio and television stations, cable systems, and newspapers during a 40-year career as a media broker in Washington, DC.
A native of Quincy, IL, Mr. Harvey attended Quincy public schools and Quincy College. He was a 1943 graduate of the University of Illinois. During World War II he served as a naval reserve officer with duty in India, China, and Burma, for which he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal by Navy Secretary James Forrestal.
In 1946 he joined the Montgomery, AL, Advertiser-Journal as a reporter. In 1947 he joined the United Press in Atlanta, GA. During the next nine years with the UP, he worked successively as reporter, editor, business representative, and finally, as Southern Division Business Manager.
Mr. Harvey moved to the Washington area in 1956 to join the media brokerage firm of Blackburn-Hamilton Company, which became Blackburn & Company, Inc., the following year. He was a founding partner of the new firm and served as vice president until his retirement in 1996.
A sentiment invariably expressed to Mr. Harvey’s children throughout his life was that “your dad is the finest man I have ever known, and I feel privileged to know him.” A few years ago Mr. Harvey wrote to a younger friend who had just lost his father that “to leave behind good memories is probably the main thing that all of us old guys hope for.” In this, Jack Harvey succeeded mightily.
Mr. Harvey was also a devoted grandfather and leaves behind eight grandchildren who will miss him greatly, Katherine H. Hughes of Dover, DE; Jeffrey P. Harvey of Dover, DE; Parker H. Porfilio of Cambridge, MA; Jaclyn D. Porfilio of Boston, MA; John (Jack) R. McDonald of Alexandria, VA; Paul M. McDonald of Indianapolis, IN; Abigail M. McDonald of Ridgefield, CT; Pamela C. McDonald of Ridgefield, CT; as well as two great-grandchildren, Landon Hughes and Lyla Rose Hughes, both of Dover, DE.
The family would also like to thank Mr. Harvey’s two devoted caregivers, John Coniglio and Gladys Pauta, who cared for Mr. Harvey with the same love and devotion his family would give. In addition, the continued support and care provided to Mr. Harvey by the Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut was greatly appreciated.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Jack Harvey’s memory to the Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut, 39 Old Ridgebury Road, Danbury, CT 06810.