Jack M. Shaffer

Class of 1980

Jack was born in Brooklyn, NY, on October 3, 1901. In 1926, after attending City College in New York, he joined his brother-in-law, Samuel Born, at Just Born, Inc. the then fledgling New York candy manufacturing company. Jack’s brother, Irv, had joined the company the previous year.

In 1932 the trio moved their growing company to Bethlehem, PA, still home of its main manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters. Today, Just Born is known for its icon brands, which include Marshmallow Peeps, Mike and Ike, Hot Tamales, Zours and Teenee Beanee jelly beans. Jack was named Just Born’s senior Chairman of the Board/Treasurer in 1992.

Jack was well-known within the candy manufacturing industry. He was an advisory Council Member of the National Confectionery Salesmen’s Association (NCSA), where he became a member of the 25 Year Club and the Four Score Club. He was also named a Dean of the National Candy Wholesalers Association, now known as the American Wholesale Marketers Association.

In Bethlehem, Jack was active within the Jewish community, serving as president and chair emeritus of Congregation Brith Sholom and president of the United Jewish Appeal. In 1987, he received the Israeli government’s Shema Yisrael Award. He was a long-time leader of the local United Way and Chamber of Commerce, and, with his wife, Cecile, funded an Executive in Residence program at the local community college in memory of their son, Hal, who had passed away while a college student.

At the time of his death in 1996, Jack was 94 years old and had never retired from Just Born, celebrating 70 years with the company shortly before his passing. He was survived by his wife, son David and daughter Rose.