John Joseph "Jack" Pikulski III, 82, of Newark, DE passed away on September 5th, 2022.

He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, author, educator, and lifelong learner.

Born in Lackawanna, PA, John was the son of the late Helen (Knott) and John Joseph Pikulski II. He was a tenured professor and department chair at the University of Delaware's College of Education and Human Development, from which he later retired.

Jack was a Senior Author and nationally recognized speaker for Houghton Mifflin Publishing and was a former President of the International Reading Association. He was passionate about giving others the gift of reading and story, and often read to classrooms of children.

"I conceive a knowledge of books is the basis upon which other knowledge is to be built." - George Washington

In addition to being a lifelong educator, Jack was also a lifelong learner. At 65, he earned his master's degree in Horticulture to become a Master Gardener. During the many summers spent with his wife in Maine, he volunteered his time and energy to maintain the local lighthouse park.

Jack is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Edna Pikulski; his daughter, Elizabeth Mickelberg; son, John J. Pikulski IV and his partner, Kristin Benner; grandchildren, John J. Pikulski V and his wife, Quentin, Maxwell Pikulski, and Margaret Pikulski; and his brother, Robert Pikulski.

He cared deeply about family, his community, access to reading and education, and the care of all living creatures. So, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that these passions we honored by donations to either the Chesapeake Collaborative https://amzn.to/3d2VEI1 (school supplies) or the ASPCA  https://www.aspca.org/.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 9th at 1:00pm at Christ Church, 505 E. Buck Road, Wilmington, DE 19807. Online condolences can be made at mealeyfuneralhomes.com.