Jack Sawyer Memorial (in-person, Berkeley)

Please join me at an event to not just celebrate Jack's life, but empower and inspire all of us to follow in his footsteps. We're planning something lively and interactive and designed to help connect us. RSVP on this page, or contact us for more details or if you'd like to help plan it. We are considering a remote (Zoom) option if there's a need for folks who can't make it in person. You can RSVP on this page on MeetUp or here on the East Bay Cohousing website or Text JACK to +19252815643 to RSVP -- Raines Cohen, East Bay Cohousing

From Jeff Billings of the Parker Street Foundation, Jack's organization that funded many cooperative communities in the East Bay and beyond:

Dear Friends:

I would like to let you know that Jack Sawyer passed away [September 18]. He was 95 years old.

After suffering a stroke six years ago, Jack lost some strength and dexterity and his activity level slowed a bit. But still he continued his work, spending every day in his office. Then, about a year ago, he injured his back, which was quite debilitating for him, and caused him largely to retreat to his apartment at Parker Street Co-op.

During the past year, his body weakened considerably, he lost substantial weight, and his memory and cognition declined. In conversation, he would often take long pauses, seemingly searching for words or ideas. At other times, he would be fairly lucid. Finally, he had a fall about two weeks ago, which weakened him even more, beyond his ability to recover.

It seems to me that Jack had been slowly leaving us for some time. Now he is free of the binds of the physical form.

Like the many people who knew him, I am grateful for his friendship and for his tireless work in support of cooperative housing, animal activism, the environment, political reform, and a myriad of other causes that were dear to him.

Through his philanthropy, both individually and with the Parker Street Foundation, which he founded in 2002, he helped create affordable, communal housing opportunities for hundreds of people in the Bay Area and further afield. He has left quite a legacy.

May we all do our small part to further his example of dedication and generosity.

Warmly,
Jeffrey Billings
Parker Street Foundation