Camillus “Jack” Rountree of East Orange, formerly of Montclair, died on March 2, 2019 at the age of 95. He was born on Aug. 9, 1923 in Weldon, N.C.
He graduated as valedictorian of his class from Halifax County Training School, Halifax County, N.C. He was awarded a scholarship to Hampton Institute in Hampton, Va., now known as Hampton University. He worked as an apprentice boat builder at the Norfolk Naval Yard in Portsmouth, Va. where he was one of the first African Americans to integrate the boat building program in the war effort.
Mr. Rountree served in the US Navy from 1943-1946 and was honorably discharged. Following his discharge he moved to Montclair and he married Montclair native, Evelyn Rogers, on Oct. 26, 1947 at Trinity Episcopal Church in Montclair.
He was a skilled carpenter who retired as supervisor of Crafts and Trades at the College of Medicine and Dentistry in Newark in 1991.
Mr. Rountree is predeceased by his son, Douglas and nephew Rafael Santiago,whom he also raised as a son.
He is survived by his second wife, Lydia, and children, Karen (Reggie), Wendy (Robert), Eric (Lori), and Kirk (former wife, Parthenia) and grandchildren Yolanda, Felicia, Kamal, Reggie, Jeffrey, Douglas, Eric, Kalani, Kirk, Kole, Krystal and Rochelle. He is also survived by several great-grandchildren and a host of loving relatives and friends.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, March 8 at Roseville Presbyterian Church, 36 Roseville Ave., Newark. A service will follow on Friday at the same location. Professional service provided by Martin’s Home for Service, Montclair.