Jack Klinge — the longest-serving member in the history of Westport’s Representative Town Meeting, and an unparalleled volunteer who in 60 years in town made his mark in areas from the Senior Center, mentoring and coaching basketball and baseball, to substitute teaching — died this morning at Yale New Haven Hospital. He was 87.
Jack Klinge. When he spoke, people listened.
Klinge and his wife Jeanne moved to Westport in 1966. They bought a home for $32,500 (“$100,000 got you a mansion,” he said), and raised 3 children. All are Staples High School graduates.
After a career commuting to General Foods and Topps — followed by a stint with Major League Marketing at The Mill on Richmondville Avenue — Klinge retired in 1997.
He mentored an 8-year-old boy. He substitute taught at Staples and the middle schools.
And the same year he retired — at the suggestion of his friend Marion Potter — he ran for the RTM. That was a record 15 terms ago.
Jack Klinge and Addison Moore: the longest-serving and youngest RTM members (Photo/Dan Woog)
Klinge learned about the town by talking with department heads, residents and fellow RTM members. Ever since, he enjoyed dealing with town issues, projects and problems. He also enjoyed speaking with constituents.
Among Klinge’s proudest achievements: advocating for schools, helping the Senior Center relocate to its current location at Baron’s South, and helping create workable policies for dogs on the beach.
His professional life is equally accomplished. Klinge invented stovetop stuffing mix at General Foods, then helped Arm & Hammer’s marketing team put baking soda in every refrigerator, and made his final name as a Topps sports cards marketing director.
In 1997, his business — Major League Marketing, headquartered on Richmondville Avenue — was bought out. The new owners moved it to Texas. Klinge retired.
Human Services director Barbara Butler suggested he join Westport’s mentor program. He remained in touch with mentees — including his first boy — for the rest of his life.
Jack Klinge was honored last month by the Senior Center. He served as president of the Friends of the Westport Center for Senior Activities.
Having taught night classes at Sacred Heart University for 7 years, Klinge joined the Westport Public Schools’ substitute list.
That’s when he first ran for the RTM too. He served on a variety of committees: Education, Finance, Parks & Recreation, Long Range Planning and others.
There was so much more to Jack Klinge’s life. A full obituary will be published soon.
In the meantime, you can read about Jack Klinge from the “06880” archives:
- Jack Klinge, Addison Moore: Old & New RTM Members Look Behind and Ahead (2025)
- Jack Klinge: Representing the RTM (2022)
Jack Klinge, during military service.
Westport lost a true hero. We were blessed to have Jack Klinge, and our community is stronger because of all he gave to it. His legacy will endure in the lives he touched
Thank you Andrew!
He also ran the Cornell Alumni network interviewing process in Fairfield County for several years and did a great job! Phyllis Wallitt
A good human, a voice of reason, a good friend and mentor to so many. Westport will miss you Jack.
A good human, a voice of reason, a friend and mentor to so many. Thank you for everything Jack. Westport will miss you.
Godspeed, Jack Klinge. A good man. May his memory be a blessing.
Jack you will be missed I loved serving on the rtm with you I learned a lot from you you are heaven and town of Westport was great to have you
I had the sincere pleasure of having many long and wonderful conversations with Jack when he substituted at Coley Middle. He was such an interesting person and provided me with great insights on the Westport community. We should all be so lucky to have such intellect and energy well into our 80s.
I will miss Jack Klinge very much. He was such a gentleman who brought great and relevant experience forward to help make Westport a better place. I will always remember our brainstorms on bringing flower gardens to Baron’s South.
What a loss for the town of Westport and for his friends and colleagues on the RTM – Jack brought incredible institutional memory, warmth and common sense to all the work. And he was such a tireless advocate for our very special Senior Center, it wouldn’t be what it is without his advocacy. What a legacy he leaves.
Jack was Westport’s finest.
I hope the Klinge Family knows that anyone who reads this has the same reaction…”What a great guy.” That is a wonderful legacy to leave.
Jack was a wonderful neighbor and community member. He always thought of others. He will be missed.
I always appreciated Jack’s candor, honesty, and love for Westport. May his memory bring comfort to his family and friends. Thank you, Jack, for all you gave to your community. You will be missed
Condolences to the Klinge Family and thanks for sharing Jack with us over these many years with Westport.
He will be missed and remembered for his thoughtful and loving contributions to our Town.