20 | DECEMBER 22 • 2022 

OUR COMMUNITY

Program and waved to the 
adoring crowd. 
A video about Jack’s life, 
narrated by the booming voice 
of the stadium’s public address 
announcer, was shared for all 
to see on the Big House giant 
scoreboard. The afternoon 
was capped off with a 34-27 
victory by the Wolverines over 
the Terrapins. But wait, there’s 
more!
Prior to the game, Jack 
was the guest of honor at 
the “Veterans of the Game” 
tailgate party supported by 
the nonprofit Veterans of the 
Game Inc., U-M-Dearborn 
and college student veterans. 
Donations go directly to pro-
grams and events that cele-
brate and support the veterans.
Refreshments were served, 
there was a photo opportunity 
with the Michigan Marching 
Band’s drum major, and a 
special custom-made base-
ball-style playing card was pre-
sented to Jack summarizing his 

military achievements.

ANCHORS AWEIGH
Jack Caminker was born in 
Detroit but was raised in 
Chicago. He returned to the 
city as a young adult, going on 
to graduate from the U-M’s 
Stephen M. Ross School of 
Business with degrees in busi-
ness and engineering. But he 
first completed a three-year 
stint involving another shade 
of “blue” — navy actually — as 
in the U.S. Navy Air Corps. 
“I remember the letter 
I received in 1941 from 
President Franklin Roosevelt, 
FDR,” said Jack. He recalls 
it said, “Greetings, we want 
to see you downtown at the 
enlistment center.” Jack even-
tually was stationed stateside 
as a Deck Officer, Lt. Junior 
Grade, from 1943 to 1946. 
Jack has been a longtime 
volunteer and loyal member 
of the Jewish War Veterans 
(JWV) Dept. of Michigan, Lt. 

Raymond Zussman Post 135. 
Post members Commander 
Don Schenk and Larry Berry 
were on hand at Jack’s party. 
The JWV paid tribute to Jack 
at their December department 
meeting. 

SHARED SUCCESS 
The insatiable enthusiasm and 
dedication Jack has exhibited 
over his life has not just been 
reserved for U-M. He has 
brought that same relentless 
dedication to every aspect of 
his 100-year journey, both in 
business and in support of the 
Jewish community and for the 
greater good of the commu-
nity.
Jack rose to be one of the 
foremost real estate leaders in 
Detroit. During his career as 
a certified property manager 
and real estate broker, he over-
saw some of Detroit’s iconic 
landmarks, including the 
Fisher Building and the GM 
Building.

Students have been recip-
ients of Jack’s business and 
management expertise, when 
in the 1980s-1990s he became 
an adjunct professor at — care 
to take a guess? Of course, the 
U-M’s School of Business. 
As much as he’s received, 
Jack has given back tenfold. 
As Jack reflected in the Jan. 
28, 1994, edition of the Jewish 
News: “My mother used to say 
that God gave us two hands 
— one to take with and one to 
give with.”
To that end, Jack was an 
invaluable asset to the Detroit 
chapter of SCORE since 1991, 
a nonprofit volunteer resource 
partner to the U.S. Small 
Business Administration that 
helps small businesses grow 
through mentorship. 
A former chair of the 
Detroit chapter, Jack has given 
free, confidential advice to 
aspiring entrepreneurs. 
David Broner, who was just 
featured as the “Volunteer of 

continued from page 19

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Jack Caminker surrounded by family and friends at his 100th birthday celebration at Andiamo restaurant in 
Bloomfield Township on Dec. 3. Jack Caminker, U.S. Navy Air Corps, Deck Officer, Lt. Junior Grade, 1943 to 1946. JWV Dept. of Michigan 
Commander Mark Weiss and Commander Don Schenk of Lt. Raymond Zussman Post 135 honor Jack Caminker on his 100th birthday at their 
recent department meeting.

