Philanthropist Jack Nadel passes away shy of his 93rd birthday

The community is mourning philanthropist Jack Nadel. Jack Nadel’s wife Julie said he died peacefully on Saturday. She said she would like everyone to celebrate his long life.

The decorated WWII veteran got his business start selling material to the military. Soon he started one of the most successful marking firms in the world.

The Jack Nadel International firm sold promotional merchandise. He wrote business and fiction books. And after the recent financial crash he wrote a paperback to help people create businesses out of their passion.

Nadel will be remembered for giving his time and money to scholarships, health care causes and other non-profits.

Last month, Nadel shared his thoughts on the passing of his 93-year-old friend Larry Crandell, known as Mr. Santa Barbara. He said how much Santa Barbara loved Larry.

Many people feel the same way about Jack Nadel, who would have turned 93 on Oct. 4.

On his birthday in Santa Barbara two years ago Nadel said, “The only thing that’s left is what do you leave, what is your legacy, what goes after you, what goes in your garden.”

Funeral services will be held at Santa Barbara Cemetery on Thursday at 11:30 a.m.