John Joseph Robertson Sr

Mr John Joseph "Jack" Robertson Sr., 89, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2025.

Born September 16, 1936 in Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Jeanne Robertson (Kahman) and Glendon E. Robertson, Sr.

Jack grew up in Merchantville, NJ spending many summers along the Jersey shore at Brigantine, New Jersey. He graduated from La Salle Military Academy in Oakdale, New York, in 1954. From there he went to La Salle College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania graduating in 1958, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, then joined the family hosiery manufacturing business. He married the love of his life Margaret (Peggy) Reilly on April 23, 1960, and they went on to have five children. While working for his father Glen, the business would take Jack across the country to Los Angeles, Kansas City, and as far as Seattle. The company had operations in Philadelphia, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Saluda, South Carolina. The latter would become the most important to Jack and Peggy, moving there in 1962. Along with his sister Mary Jean and her husband Robert Brickley, they ran Wisteria Hosiery Mill until the early 1970’s. After Wisteria, Jack helped form and run Clearweave Hosiery. After a brief time as Plant Manager for Baer Manufacturing in Hickory, North Carolina, he returned to Saluda and spent several years working as a salesman for Cromley’s Ford. Jack would later open Consumer Appliance Repair with the late Johnny Mazza, as well as Appliance Service Southeast, Inc., St. Mary’s Georgia. Then he and Peggy moved to Isle of Palms, South Carolina in 1988. Jack went to work for Bill and Juanita Casey in Real Estate, and would later finish his career with Island Realty. He worked up until 2019, retiring at 83.

Jack had a magnetic smile and large personality. He was also an avid sportsman as a young man, competing in Golden Gloves Boxing in the Philadelphia area. He excelled in football and basketball in High School. Known for enjoying time on the lakes, either Clarks Hill (where he and family and friends had large times(!) along with many hours of skiing), Lake Murray, or the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway around the Charleston area. The pool parties at the home in Saluda were legendary. Jack loved a puzzle, be it cross word, jig-saw or various card games on the computer.

In Saluda, he became an avid ham radio operator. His call sign, WD4HGK was broadcast around the world, even logging in with the space shuttle on several occasions. In the CB world, his handle was the infamous Wombat. He also was an avid fan of the Gamecocks, attending many basketball and football games, while always pulling for his hometown teams of Philadelphia.

As proud as Jack was of his professional accomplishments, he was most proud of having raised five children with his wife, always encouraging their children towards accomplishments and family. He would remind them of the things that mattered most in this world, Faith, Family, Friends, Country, and to always fight the good fight. A devout Roman Catholic, he was a parishioner of both St. Williams in Ward, South Carolina and Stella Maris, Sullivans Island.

Jack is preceded in death by his son, John Joseph Robertson, Jr; parents, Glendon E. Robertson Sr and Jeanne K. Robertson; and siblings, MSGR Glendon E. Robertson Jr, Mary Jean R. Brickley, and Lucille M. Robertson.

Jack is survived by his wife of 65 years, Margaret (Peggy) R. Robertson; children, Margaret Moore, Michael (Angelina) Robertson, Patrice Robertson and Thomas (Trudy) Robertson; 10 grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and several great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 30th, 2025, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at McAlister-Smith Funeral & Cremation, 1520 Rifle Range Road in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 31, 2025, at 10:00am, at Stella Maris Catholic Church, 1204 Middle Street, Sullivan's Island, SC 29482.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society or The Roper St. Francis Foundation.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister- Smith Funeral Home, Mount Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Rd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, 843-884-3833.