Few people in this world dedicate their lives so completely to others that, when they are gone, an entire community feels their absence. John “Jack” Braitmayer was one of those people. A “quiet generous man,” Jack was a true Seawolf from the moment he stepped on campus. Born on February 2, 1930, Jack was the son of Tabor’s first female trustee, Marian Braitmayer, and attended Tabor from 1944-48. A member of the Tabor Boy crew, photography club, rifle team, and library club, Jack quickly became an integral part of the Class of ’48’s unique unity. After graduating from Tabor, he attended Wesleyan University and later met his wife of 66 years, Nancy.
SEAWOLF FOREVER
After receiving his high school diploma, Jack returned to serve on the Board of Trustees in 1969. He remained a member until 1994 before serving as the chair from 1978-1986. His time as chair coincided with two major changes to Tabor: the departure of James W. Wickenden as Head of School and the addition of girls to Tabor’s student body in the early 80s.
“Jack gave unstintingly of his time, talent, and treasure,” said Jay Stroud, Head of School from 1988-2012, whose hiring committee Jack served on.
When his time as an active member of the Board of Trustees ended, he became an “emeritus trustee,” who contributed to discussions but did not vote. Jack never once stopped being actively engaged in the ongoings of Tabor. Throughout Stroud’s tenure as headmaster, Jack would stop by to chat every Saturday afternoon, interested in everything happening at the school. He even oversaw refurnishing the Head of School’s office and the Carlson Room, showing his dedication to the school’s presentation. After that, he got involved in construction projects to expand the school, including the Marine and Nautical Science building (MANS), faculty housing, the dining hall, and the dorms. Additionally, he created the Braitmayer Fund for faculty, allowing faculty members to expand their degrees while teaching at Tabor. In 2017, Jack was honored with the first Founder Society Award for Loyalty, Leadership, and Legacy.
Before his passing on July 14, 2023, Jack donated two photo albums to the Tabor Archives, containing photographs of the campus from his time as a student in the 1940s. Many of those images are used in this article.
A TRUE TABOR BOY
A lifelong sailor, Jack Braitmayer dedicated his life not only to Tabor but also to the essence of Tabor as the “School by the Sea.” Having sailed on the second Tabor Boy throughout his time as a student and serving as Executive Officer his senior year, Jack used his position as a trustee to be a leading advocate for Tabor’s sail training program. He always supported projects and refits involving Tabor Boy. The water and sea were his element, and he ensured that current and future students would get the opportunity to make use of Buzzards Bay. With Jack’s Wheel Fund, he donated large sums of money and time to the nautical sciences at Tabor. From commuting to school by boat in the 40s to bringing back the 2nd Tabor Boy to sail side by side with her current counterpart at the Class of ’48’s 50th reunion, Jack was the embodiment of Tabor’s School by the Sea spirit. His work kept the Tabor Boy “ship-shape.”
“His understanding of boats, sailing, and the essential importance of life on the sea to the Tabor experience was at the heart of this program,” said Jay Stroud, “I am quite sure the Tabor Boy is part of Tabor’s life today because of his [Jack’s] generosity.”
ONCE A SEAWOLF, ALWAYS A SEAWOLF
As Tabor faces challenges from the pandemic to AI in the classroom, there certainly are important lessons every student, staff, and faculty can take away from Jack Braitmayer’s legacy: to guide others as they set their sails to unique futures and to remember that only together can we truly be all-a-taut-o.
