Jack Ensley Tribute ---- Flippy Floppy Armada Forever

ray306

New Member
Jun 26, 2007
171
Hollywood, Fl
Boat Info
sundancer 350 1990
Engines
502 mpi
JACK ENSLEY

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It is with sadness and a heavy heart that I report the passing of Jack Ensley. Jack was one of those guys that made a difference in my life. I can honestly say my life is better having known Jack.

I met Jack a few years ago, interestingly enough we met on Club Sea Ray. A group of us on the east coast of Florida planned a Memorial Day trip to the Bahamas (Jack had to bring the boat from Tampa). Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate so we ended up going to Boca Chita in Biscayne Bay. It is an understatement to say we had the time of our lives.

Jack knew he had cancer and his approach to life was to do what he loved and live life to the fullest. Jack loved to boat and being on the water and he jumped at every chance to go on a trip. He was the type of person that would welcome you onto his boat and into his family, he would literally give you the shirt off his back.

Jack you will be sorely missed.

My condolences go out to Jack's wife Marsha and his kids Sarah and Shawn. I love them all.

Here's wishing you calm seas and the wind at your back, Jack, just save me a coors Lite

Ray


 
I met Jack when I started a thread on the CSR in December 2008 about going to Port Lucaya for Memorial Day 2009. Somewhere in the middle of the 560 posts, he introduced himself and said that he would like to join us and would drive his boat from the west coast over to the east coast and be part of the fun. He had never been to the islands before but saw the pics we posted and wanted to go. Ray and I who had been on previous excursions together, welcomed him to come. That trip also marked the beginning of friendships with Mike Hansen, Ken Lawrence and their wonderful families. Mike and Ken also signed up to go too so we all started out for Lucaya from 3 different inlets in 5-7 foot seas. Everyone turned back and decided to head south to a small island in Biscayne Bay called Boca Chita. It was Jack that coined the groups name "The Flippy Floppy Armada" after the song "I'm on a boat". It seemed to fit our group perfectly.

As Ray said in his post, the trip to Boca Chita was a one in a million event. Only Ray and I knew each other but after the first couple of hours, we realized that we all fit together. It was amazing.... 5 families that had never met acted like we had known each other for years. We spent 4 days at Chita and had the time of our lives. Ever since then, the group has gone on many trips together and always had a great time. Last summer, Jack brought his boat here and docked it locally so he could do Bahamas trips easier.

Jack was hoping to get a full summer of boating in 2010. I am happy to report that he did that and more. Each trip we took was great and made it's own memories. In March of this year, we were lucky to do a trip to Bimini. I was surprised that the winds cooperated but now realize that was the oceans way to give Jack one last trip.

Jack became a very dear friend, someone I won't ever forget. He was larger than life. He would help anybody that needed a hand. He loved his family, his boat and his CAT engines. He fell in love with Bimini and I am glad that I was a part of that. We would talk about what we were doing with our engines all the time. I knew Jack for only about two and a half years but it was like we knew each other from childhood.

I want to post some pictures of Jack the way I remember him.

our last trip in March, Jack and his family with Ray Hicks

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Jack and his wife Marcia at Boca Chita

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the 5 captains at Boca Chita - L to R; Ray, Mike, Ken me and Jack

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Mike and Jack at Honeymoon Harbor

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Jack having fun in the "Spa"

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Jack where he loved it the most; at the helm of Ship O Fools

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Jack in his engine room

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Thanks for the memories. Bimini won't be the same without you.

Your Friend Randy
 
Randy, Jack looked larger than life, glad you got to meet him!! RIP Jack!!!
 
Jack was an inspiration to all of us and I will miss him. We had some awesome trips together and I will never forget him.

This is my favorite picture of him on the return of our first trip together.

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Ken
 
Wow, opened CSR to get some distraction from the day and saw this thread.

Randy and Ray have captured the spirit of Jack so well. The way he handled his illness was nothing short of heroic.

I saw him in March in Bimini and I'll never forget his parting words to me. He wanted to make sure I passed his best wishes to my family. In the context of his illness and his family, his chose to be gracious towards mine. We both knew we'd not see each other again.

I can't say enough about Marcia and the kids. Jack was no doubt the center of the strength they have displayed. I can best summarize Jack by saying he was the real deal. Not many around. I'll wish him comfort and miss him very much.
 
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Wow... I'm so sorry to hear that. I remember his posts well... and he had a bridge boat...
 
Your posting caused me to read some of Jacks posts about your mutual trips. From what I read, he embodied the essence of boating friends and family. Brought back memories of trips with my parents and their friends who have all passed on. I trust Jack is having a cold one in heaven, and his earth bound family has hearts filled with Love, and eternal joyful memories of their Dad and husband.
Steve
54' DA GRATEFUL
 
When Ray called me yesterday and told me the sad news, I didn't know what to say...Yes I knew that Jack was sick and didn't have much time left, but he was always so positive and had this uplifting energy about him that I didn't think he'd be gone this soon...I was in shock... CSR has helped me make some wonderful and lifelong friends that have made a difference in my life. Jack definitely was someone I was proud to call my friend. Though we had posted back and forth here for many years, I had only met Jack a few years ago in Bimini and immediately he made my son and I feel welcome - into his boat and his world.. He loved his family and it showed. He was kind of a larger than life character but in all the positive ways....It was just so much fun to be around him. He included us in whatever was going on (as did Ray and Randy) and it was a great feeling to have. We'd go snorkeling at the Sapona or rafting up all day at Honeymoon Harbor and we all have so much fun...At night when the sky was clear we'd walk to the end of the docks and look out at all the stars.. Though he's not with us in person, I know he will be looking down on us from above; his star will always be bright.. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family....
 
Jack was a terrific guy who I was fortunate enough to meet and get to know while on the trip to Boca Chita. Although we first met just a couple of years ago, it seemed like I knew him, and the other flippy floppies, much longer.

When it came to boating, once Jack decided what he wanted to do, or where he wanted to go, that’s what he would do and there was no stopping him. He led the way and inspired others to follow. I’m sure he led his life that way too.

Tough on the outside with a big heart. A guy who would do anything, anytime for anyone.

Jack has created some wonderful memories for me and my family that will never be forgotten.

Whenever I’m in the Bahamas, especially Bimini, move the “levers” on a boat, hear someone on their PA Horn (Jack’s was always the loudest), or see an ugly “contraption” for lifting their dingy, I’ll be thinking about Jack.

[FONT=&quot]Jack, you’ll be missed and never forgotten.

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The Flippy Floppies in Boca Chita

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Jack and Randy in Bimini
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Jack spearing lobster in Bimini

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Jack feeding the pigs in the Exumas

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Jack, Ken and I in the Exumas
 
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I am sorry to hear this. I met Jack about 3 years ago in St. Petersburg. I had anchored to watch the St. Pete Grand Prix when he came in the basin on his 560. The winds were up that day and I noticed he was having a tough time getting his ground tackle to hold. Knowing that I had my hook set in real good, I offered him to raft up with me, which he did. He was super nice and very appreciative. That afternoon we shared a few Coors Lights and chatted about Sea Ray's- thats when I found out he was a CSR member. He invited me and my family onboard his boat to get a better view of the races from his bridge and we enjoyed the afternoon.

My thoughts and prayers go to his family.
 
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Thanks for sharin' the photos Mike!!! I bet Jack was a WHOOT!!!!!!!!:thumbsup:
 
He sure sounds likes a nice guy and good friend. My condolences to his family and all of his friends. Hearing these stories really makes you think about your own legacy...Jack sounds like a great example of how to live life and how to be a good person, father, husband and friend. I don't even know him but this tribute has been nice to read.
 
I looked back through some of my pictures as well. Here is a raft-up in Bimini in June of 2009
Jack is here on the stern of Odyssey
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This is in Bimini from September of 2009. This is a sunken freighter called the Sapona near Bimini. It was blown up there years ago by a hurricane. As you can probably see it is a hulking mass of steel and concrete. Getting to the upper deck is not an easy or safe task but Jack just being Jack, made his way to the upper deck where he promptly launched himself. This was liftoff. Sometimes Jack had guts enough for two men.
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This is Jack with Randy and Nick. Jack loved being at the controls. He famous response was " I don't know what I'm doing, I'm just pushing the buttons and pulling the levers". Indeed, Jack was probably one of the best and most conscientious captains I've ever known.
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This is in Port Lucaya, Grand Bahama in August of 2009
Jack dancing on top of the hardtop over his bridge. Why? Because he felt like it and he could.
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Thanks for the memories Jack

Ray
 
I didn't know Jack and was particularly shocked since I just got finished looking at the recent Memorial Day pictures.

I just want to offer my condolences to all Jack's family and friends. It is obvious that he was a great man that will surely be missed by all that knew and loved him.

Art
 
Captain Jack,

It was an honor to power up on the same Floridian and Bahamian waters as a man of your stature and respect. You will be missed by the entire family Sir.


Rusty Higgins
Captain
Sea Ray Boats
Yacht Division
 

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