Jack Yacov Ostrovsky

Jack took leave of his presence on this Earth on November 9th, 2017 in Bozeman, Montana at age 89. Jack was the son of Russian Immigrants and was born in Poughkeepsie, New York. He was raised by his grandmother (Bubi) Jenny in Montreal, Canada during his early childhood. Jack’s Mother, Shirley, later married Peisach Ostrovsky and Jack’s three brothers were born to the family. Jack joined the Navy post WWII, completing services when he was just 20 years old. He moved to California, started a family and worked tirelessly to build a career. Jack spent the largest part of his adult life in Los Angeles, CA. In the1970’s, Jack started a women’s manufacturing company with partner Stanley Kaye called Kayo of California that became very successful. The women’s apparel business, Kayo of California, is still a thriving business today.



Saying that Jack lived life to the fullest every day is an understatement! He was an entrepreneur, adventurer, daredevil, author, philanthropist, mountain climber, pilot, scholar, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many. How do you describe someone who flew across the Atlantic in a single engine-plane and jumped out of a perfectly fine operating plane at 30,600 feet? Jack earned himself a place in the 2004 Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest person at age 76 to perform a HALO (high altitude low opening) sky dive. Jack tested the limits in many ways. In 2001, after weightless training with the Russian Cosmonauts at Zhukovsky Air Base, Jack flew to the fringes of outer space. He also flew with a Russian Air Force pilot in a MIG 21 fighter aircraft and occupied the left seat as co-pilot. The next day, Jack was in the more famous MIG 25.



Over the years, Jack continued his adventures and among his other achievements was his dive on the wreckage of the Titanic in a tiny Russian submersible. Jack climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro at age 62, flew his own private plane all over the world, experienced gorilla-trekking in Rwanda, and completed a round trip flight to the North Pole on June 7, 1997 in his C421m with 3 other men including Ben Mikaelsen of Bozeman. One of Jack’s most exhilarating experiences in June of 2012 was making it to the base camp of Mount Everest at age 84. Jack trekked part of the distance and after encountering a landslide, he helicoptered in the remaining distance. He called his wife Donna and son Zach from Mount Everest Base Camp and it was truly one of Jack’s most exhilarating, and emotional experiences!



Jack always had a burning desire for education but never had the time with work and raising a family. Friend Peter Fields, former MSU Athletic Director, encouraged Jack to enroll at MSU and in 2003 Jack was a freshman! The difference in years did not hold Jack back from building friendships with students six decades younger. Jack relished the camaraderie, the intellectual challenges, the sharing of ideas and the friends he made. His wife Donna was his biggest supporter and when they married in 2006, she strongly encouraged his intellectual journey. Jack graduated with Honors (degree in Bachelor of Arts, History) in 2010 at the age of 82.



Jack has been an avid and generous supporter of the Bozeman Community since his move to Bozeman in 1993. He has supported MSU Athletics, MSU Foundation, and many other areas of the University, Bozeman Symphony, Congregation Beth Shalom, Warriors and Quiet Waters, Community Café & Homeless Shelter, Daedalians, 11th and Grant (known as the Godfather of 11th and Grant), Bozeman Health (Deaconess), Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, Love Inc, a pilot for Angel Flights and many other worthy causes and scholarships. Jack was also involved with the Museum of the Rockies serving as a member of the museum’s Board of Trustees and establishing the annual dinosaur egg hunt.



Jack is survived by his wife, Donna, and his four children. Harriet (Richard) Ross of San Luis Obispo, Susan (Elliot) Mahn of Los Angeles, CA and Maureen (Jack) Conner of San Luis Obispo, CA and his son Zachary Ostrovsky of Bozeman, MT. He is also survived by his three step-children, Suzanne (Dan) Roth of Bozeman, Tanya (Brian) Cavanaugh of Denver, and Brandon (Breanna) Spitzer of Bozeman; three brothers, Jerry, Sidney and David (Annette) Ostrovsky all from the Los Angeles area as well as six wonderful grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.



Jack’s wishes were for no formal service but to have a celebration of his life at a later date. Jack’s ashes will spread this summer over his favorite Absarokee Mountain Range that he loved flying over. Should friend’s desire, memorials may be made to 11th and Grant, Beth Shalom Congregation, Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter, HRDC Community Café, Warriors & Quiet Waters at 351 Evergreen Drive in Bozeman, The Alzheimer’s Association, or the charity of one’s choice.



A very special thank you to the wonderful caretakers and nurses at Spring Creek Memory Care for their kind, loving, and compassionate care of Jack for the last 10 months of his life. Thank you also to Darcy Saunders and her compassionate staff at Cottonwood Care. Arrangements were entrusted to the excellent care of Dahl Funeral Home and their Staff.