John S. "Jack" Joachim

John “Jack” Schappert Joachim Jr., a beloved patriarch whose warmth, ingenuity and unwavering love touched everyone he knew, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2026, at the age of 91, enveloped in the embrace of his devoted family in his lifelong home of Biloxi, Mississippi.

Born on December 18, 1934, in the heart of Biloxi, Jack was the cherished eldest son of 20 remarkable children---all single births---to his adoring parents, John Schappert Joachim Sr. and Rose Lillian Navarro Joachim. Growing up in a bustling household filled with laughter, stories, and unbreakable bonds, Jack learned early the profound value of family, a lesson he carried with him every day of his extraordinary life. He proudly served his country with a brief but honorable enlistment in the United States Army, returning to Biloxi with a deepened sense of duty and gratitude. For decades, he dedicated himself to South Central Bell, where his steadfast work ethic and kind spirit earned him the respect and affection of colleagues and friends alike, until he retired to savor more time with those he held dearest.

Jack’s greatest joy, however, was his family. He shared a beautiful, enduring love with his life-long dancing partner and wife, Elizabeth Ann “Liz” Corso Joachim, building a home overflowing with tenderness, support, and shared dreams. Together, they nurtured their three wonderful children: John Schappert Joachim III (Margaret “Marie”), Todd Corso Joachim (Sally), and Elisa Corso Aldenderfer (Mark). Jack was a pillar of strength for them, always ready with wise counsel, a gentle hug, or a story from his youth that reminded them of life’s simple beauties---like the sunsets over the Gulf of America or the joy of a family meal. His involvement in the Corso family legacy, through Frank P. Corso Inc., the wholesale distribution company founded by Liz’s Italian immigrant father in 1924, reflected his deep commitment to honoring traditions and supporting loved ones.

Beyond his family and career, Jack’s passion for all things mechanical was legendary. An avid enthusiast of boats---both motor and sail---as well as cars, motorcycles, and basically anything with an engine, he poured his heart into creating and conquering. In his twenties, he built a racing motorboat from scratch and went on to win numerous motorboat races, thrilling crowds with his skill and speed on the water. He treasured his Porche 356, which he drove around the Mississippi Gulf Coast with his wife by his side and children in the back seat, creating wonderful memories of adventure and togetherness. Jack could build almost anything, his hands turning ideas into reality with effortless grace. His Cub Scout derby cars and rockets were second to none, inspiring awe and a bit of envy among the troops. One unforgettable time, he constructed a massive kite that no one believed could ever take flight---yet, of course, it soared high, a testament to his boundless creativity and determination.

Jack thoroughly enjoyed traveling to New York to appear with his parents and 16 brothers and sisters on the television show “I’ve Got a Secret” in 1958, where the family’s secret---that his parents had 17 children---delighted the audience and panel alike. That same year, the family was also featured in a heartwarming article in the Saturday Evening Post titled “How to Raise a Multitude,” which celebrated their extraordinary family life and the joys of raising such a large, loving brood.

What made Jack truly unforgettable, however, was his quick wit---perhaps his most remarkable and enduring trait. With one-line hysterical comments, razor-sharp comebacks, and a genuine, observable humor about almost any situation, he could light up a room and turn everyday moments into joyful memories. His infectious laughter and clever insights brought endless delight to family gatherings, friendships, and even the simplest conversations, leaving everyone around him smiling and cherishing his unique spark.

Jack leaves behind a legacy of quiet kindness, resilience, profound love, mechanical mastery, and boundless humor that will forever echo in the hearts of his surviving family: his devoted wife; his three children and their spouses; his grandchildren, John Schappert Joachim IV (Megan), Lauren Green, Emily Green, Sadie Rose Joachim, Cooper Corso Joachim, and Anna Elisabeth Radich; his great-grandchild, John “JJ” Schappert Joachim V; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and extended kin who were blessed by his presence. He was preceded in death by his parents and several siblings, yet the memories of their shared adventures remain a source of comfort and inspiration. His 19 siblings, each a testament to the extraordinary family he helped lead, included: Harry Louis Joachim (deceased), Robin Jude Joachim Sr., Mary Martha Joachim Caruso, Harriet Louise Joachim Lekich, Francis Joseph Joachim (deceased), Georgette Clare Joachim Mattina, Rose Ann Joachim Blessing, Marylyn Theresa Joachim Gibson, Nancy Helen Joachim Gollott, Mary Elizabeth Joachim (deceased), William Dennis Joachim, Mary Jane Joachim Baxter, Mary Margaret Joachim Pepper, Ed.D., Maria Adrienne Joachim Pellegrino, Marian Virginia Joachim Burdine, Gerard O’Connell Joachim (deceased), Mary Daniel Joachim Whittle, Michael Raymond Joachim, and Patricia Regina Joachim Creel.

Jack was a graduate of Notre Dame High School in Biloxi and remained deeply committed to supporting his community throughout his life. He was actively involved in numerous civic, professional, and faith-based organizations, including the Order of Mithras Carnival Association, the Coast Chamber of Commerce, the Biloxi Bay Council, and Mississippi’s Wholesale Grocery and Candy Association. Jack also served as past president of the Nativity B.V.M. Parent and Teacher Organization and as a past board member of the Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral Parish Council. He was co-owner of Liz Joachim’s Emporium and a life member of both the Telephone Pioneers of America and the Communications Workers of America.

Visitation will be held at the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on January 17, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Southern Memorial Park in Biloxi, laying him to rest in the soil he loved so dearly. A celebratory reception will follow at the Maritime & Seafood Industry Museum. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Nativity B.V.M. Elementary School, 1046 Beach Blvd., Biloxi, MS 39530, honoring Jack’s passion for nurturing the next generation and his community.

Though our hearts ache with his absence, we find solace in the countless ways Jack enriched our lives---through his gentle smile, his enduring faith, his inventive spirit, his hilarious wit, and the love that bound us all. He will be deeply missed, but his spirit lives on in every act of kindness we share, every engine that roars to life, and every laugh that echoes his joy. Rest in eternal peace, dear Jack.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of John “Jack” Schappert Joachim Jr.