Memorial services were held in recent days for a Buffalo resident known for a long career in game and toy design, and a variety of other fabrication industries.
Jack McAllister passed away April 19th at the age of 97.
Jack grew up in Crystal, and was a graduate of Robbinsdale High School and Dunwoody Institute. He was also a U-S Navy veteran during World War II.
In addition to working for many years for Coast to Coast in Robbinsdale, Jack had a number of other interesting occupations and sidelights. He designed toys for Sifo Toys and the Centuri Rocket Company. He also designed cereal box premiums for General Mills. Jack worked an an engraver at Jostens, and was a designer and machinist at North States Industries and Swissmatics. He also worked at Premier Plastics as a designer and mold fabricator.
Jack was the proud creator of games called “Bunkerball,” and “Racehorse Checkers.” He also developed a seed starter kit which he named the “Roly Rooter.” Later he made “Lucky Birds” out of wood and porcelain, and sold them at the community market.
He was active in the community as a member of the Wright County Historical Society.
He was a naturalist with expertise in ancient Native American portage trails. Jack was also instrumental in clearing the pathway for a scenic mountain bike and hiking trail in Ironton, Minnesota, and was featured in a documentary on PBS.
Services for Jack McAllister were held April 28th in Buffalo.
