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Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors is pleased to introduce you to The Fatica Family: Jack, Kelly, Jack, Matthew and Luke. They certainly know how to enjoy life! Whether traveling around the globe or welcoming friends and neighbors into their beautiful home, this family is always ready to make memories.
Jack spent his childhood in Erie, PA, living with his parents, his older sister, Natalie, and his younger brother, Justin. He attended grade school at St. Peter Cathedral School and then went to Cathedral Preparatory School, where he played JV basketball and was involved in student government. When Jack wasn’t in school, he worked several jobs and spent his free time skiing.
After high school, Jack headed east to attend Temple University. “I knew I wanted to go to school in a big city,” he explained. “Temple offered everything I was looking for: a fantastic School of Business, a basketball team led by the legendary John Cheney and the hustle and bustle of busy city life.” Jack loved being a Temple Owl and a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity. He graduated from Temple with a degree in Finance and began his career in Wealth Management.
“I have spent my entire career in financial services, focused mainly on building, managing and delivering investment products for financial advisors,” Jack explained. “I get a lot of satisfaction from helping them find solutions for their clients.” He further explained that, in many instances, these advisors are business owners, so when he helps them find solutions for their clients, he is also helping his advisors succeed in their own businesses.
Kelly grew up just a stone’s throw away in Springfield, Delaware County (not to be confused with the other Springfield). She lived there with her parents, her younger brother, Mike and her younger sister, Katie. Kelly went to Scenic Hills Elementary School, E.T. Richardson Middle School and graduated from Springfield High School, where she was a member of the lacrosse, basketball and field hockey teams.
Knowing she wanted to be a teacher, Kelly attended Millersville University and graduated with a bachelor’s in Education with a Dual Certificate in Elementary and Special Education. Kelly is proud to be in her 18th year of teaching at her alma mater, E.T. Richardson Middle School. She is a Math Special Education Teacher who loves to watch her students who struggle with math grow as learners and feel more comfortable in the classroom.
Kelly said she would like to continue to teach middle school math but hopes to transition to the regular education classroom in the future. “I love math, and I love helping others to understand it better,” she said. “I believe my background and experience in special education will serve me well with all levels of learners.”
Kelly and Jack first met in the summer of 2005 after being introduced by Kelly’s cousin, Brian. “I was renting a beach house with friends in Sea Isle, and Jack was renting a house in Avalon with friends, which included my cousin,” Kelly explained. “We became friends that summer but didn’t start dating until the following year.”
Do you know why Avalon has the motto Cooler by a Mile? Residents and beachgoers often say it’s because they live there, but the town itself juts out into the Atlantic Ocean about a mile farther than other barrier islands and is one mile longer than its neighboring town, Stone Harbor. It’s also known to be the spot where Jack proposed to Kelly on the beach after a few years of dating. Kelly said yes, and the happy couple then spent a few days in beautiful Cape May to relax and begin planning their wedding.
The happy couple married in the summer of 2009 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Springfield, with a reception at the Marriott in Conshohocken. “We got married on 7-11, with no disrespect to Wawa,” Kelly laughed. “It just happened to be an anniversary date that Jack would not forget.” The newlyweds then traveled to Riviera Maya and enjoyed a honeymoon full of adventures, lots of adventures!
Jack readily admitted that he has an outgoing personality and adventurous spirit. “I love to travel, meet new people and go on exciting adventures,” he explained. “I booked us on quite a few excursions like riding ATVs through the jungle, zip lining, jet ski tours and snorkeling, to name a few.” Kelly was a good sport and enjoyed them all but longed for a few days of relaxing on the beach with a drink in her hand. She said, “We eventually made our way back to the resort, but in a matter of minutes, Jack was making friends with everyone at the hotel, and by the fourth day, he was the guest bartender at the lobby bar!”
When Kelly and Jack returned from their honeymoon, they began married life in King of Prussia, where Jack owned a townhome. “While it made sense for us to live there, it wasn’t long before Delaware County was calling Kelly back home,” Jack said. “We began our search and found a home in Media, not far from Kelly’s family.”
Once settled, Kelly and Jack began a whole new adventure by starting a family of their own. They welcomed three sons and watched them grow. “We loved living in Media near St. Mary Magdalen’s. All of our boys were brought home there and we created wonderful memories,” Kelly recalled. “As they grew, we realized that we wanted to move to a home with a little more space for the boys, an office for Jack because he works from home often
and a neighborhood where the kids could ride their bikes.” Fortunately, they were able to find the perfect home just a few miles down the road.
Jack and Kelly’s firstborn is Jack, a seventh-grade student at Devon Preparatory School. Like his dad, Jack loves to travel and is always up for an adventure. “Jack loves sports and wants to play lacrosse when he goes to college,” Kelly said. “We have no doubt that he will be successful at whatever he chooses to do.” Family is very important to Jack, and he is great with younger children, though Kelly and Jack did say that when they brought his younger brother home from the hospital, Jack told them to take him back!
That little brother is nine-year-old Matthew (Matty). He is in fourth grade at St. Mary Magdalen and plans to be a professional athlete someday. “Matty also loves STEM activities and is great in math and science,” Jack said. “We’re thinking a career in those fields might be a good backup plan.” His parents described Matty as sweet, caring, curious and athletic. He has a great sense of humor and always finds the best in everything and everyone.
Rounding out the Fatica Family is seven-year-old Luke, a loving, smart, happy second-grader at St. Mary Magdalen’s. “Luke is the best combination of all of us,” Kelly said. “He completed our family in the most perfect way.” Luke loves sports but also loves to draw. “One of his favorite things to
do is draw sports team logos,” Jack said. “He and I will sit for hours sketching and coloring in logos from professional and college teams.” Kelly added that Luke loves to snuggle and make thoughtful cards and pictures for his family, telling them how much he loves them.
Family comes first for the Fatica Family, and their time together is filled with fun adventures and travel. “Having a family of three boys means we are always active,” Kelly said. “We realize that these are some of our best years as a family, and we try to enjoy them as much as possible.” They love to spend time with Kelly’s family in Sea Isle each summer, visit Jack’s parents at their home in Key West over spring break and take an annual winter
trip to Lake Harmony in the Poconos to ski with good friends.
Jack said he is fortunate that his company has allowed his family to travel to some amazing places. “Last summer, we traveled to Banff, Canada, which was one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen,” he said. “We have also gone to Aruba and look forward to exploring Hawaii, California and Europe in the future.”
But, no matter how far this family may travel, they are always grateful to come home to Newtown Edgmont. Both Kelly and Jack said that living here feels like living in a country-like setting, all while being close to the city. “We love spending time at Ridley Creek State Park, which is practically in our backyard. In fact, every year on Thanksgiving, we take a family walk along the creek.” Jack added that one of his favorite things is cooking and hosting Sunday night dinners with their families.
They also enjoy spending time with their friends, neighbors and their St. Mary Magdalen community. “We have made so many lifelong friends since moving here,” Kelly said. “We couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.”
Do you know a Newtown Edgmont family, individual or nonprofit group who should become known by our community? Make your nominations for upcoming feature articles by emailing your ideas to Sheila Turner-Hilliard at STurnerHilliard@BestVersionMedia.com.