Mr. Rinaca is going to be very much missed in our community, but his leadership and participation in community service will never be forgotten.
Unis Jack Scott Rinaca Jr., 92, of 711 Sixth Street, Shenandoah, Va., passed away at home on Thursday, December 28, 2017.
He is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, Billie Ann Burns Rinaca; son, Gregory Scott Rinaca and companion, Christina Wycoff of Broadway, Va., daughters, Robin Ann Rinaca Covatta of Accomac, Va. and Jill Marie Rinaca of Weyers Cave, Va.; granddaughters, Anna Scott Covatta of New York, NY and Danielle Elizabeth Covatta Riva and husband, Nicholas C. Riva of New York, NY.; brother, Edward Hill Rinaca and wife, Jo Anne; sister-in-law, Josephine Rinaca; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Unis was born in Shenandoah, Va., on November 13, 1925, to the late Unis Scott Sr. and Anna Frazier Coleman Rinaca. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings, Carlton C. Rinaca and wife, Maxine, Charles F. Rinaca and wife, Mildred, Annabelle Foltz and husband, Ralph and James V. Rinaca.
Jack was a lifelong resident of his beloved Shenandoah, Va., and graduated from Shenandoah High School in 1943. He served in the US Navy during World War II from 1944 to 1946. He was wounded in action in the South Pacific and received a Purple Heart. In 1951, he received a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of Virginia and then began his professional career at Merck & Co, Inc., in Elkton, Va. He retired from Merck in 1986.
Jack was well known throughout the Shenandoah Valley for his participation and leadership in community service. He has been active in the Shenandoah Lions Club his entire adult life, and active in the Shenandoah High School Alumni Association and the Shenandoah Industrial Development Authority as well as the Page Valley Economic Development Council. He also served on the Page Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees and the Page County School Board. He served on the Shenandoah Town Coucil and as Mayor in earlier years. He was appointed to and served on the Virginia State Water Control Board. He served many years on the Boards of Trustees of both the Rockingham Library Association and the Shenandoah Community Library. He has remained active on the Board of the Shenandoah Heritage Society as well as many other organizations to numerous to list here.
He was a member of the Bethel United Church of Christ near Elkton, Va. Jack had many interests and hobbies including gardening and canning of which his friends were the beneficiaries of his efforts. He enjoyed hunting in the Massanutten Mountains every fall and the fellowship with his friends and family. He also enjoyed spending time at his vacation home on the Potomac in Westmoreland County, Va.
The celebration of life service will held at 3 p.m., Saturday, December 30, 2017 at Kyger Funeral Home in Elkton, Va. The family will receive friends beginning at 2 p.m. prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Shenandoah Community Library, 418 South Third Street, Shenandoah, VA 22849.
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