Jack's "Forever Home"

I wish I’d met Jack Horner.

I’m a Realtor here in Shaker Heights, and the listing agent for 3008 Fontenay, a fine example of one of our beautiful homes on a great street. 

This house has something most homes don’t have.  An elevator.

It turns out that Jack Horner, who used to live in the house, put the elevator in so it could be his “forever home.” He wouldn’t have to move if advancing age brought on infirmities.  He could still get around his beloved house.

Jack was an interesting man with a good life.  He was descended from a Revolutionary lieutenant who was in the Pennsylvania militia.  He played quarterback on the football team at Shaker Heights High School.  After teaching and coaching at a local private school, he was brought in as Headmaster of Harrisburg Academy in Pennsylvania, where they credit him with growing the school at a time when other private schools were closing.  He then came home to run the Cleveland Engineering Society, even though he wasn’t an engineer!  They were just impressed with his leadership abilities.

He and his wife had two kids, and then two grandkids.

After retiring, he stayed active in the community, including twice serving as Interim Director of the Shaker Lakes Nature Center.

It was important to Jack to stay in his home until the end, and he got his wish. 

It’s been 30 years since this house has been on the market.  I just know that someone’s now going to snap this one up as their “forever home!”