Dick Jauron Estate Makes Historic Donation To Northeast Arc

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A permanent Director of Sports and Recreation position at the Northeast Arc will be established through a $2.2 million donation from the estate of late Swampscott legend and NFL player and head coach Dick Jauron.

The gift is the largest in Northeast Arc's 72-year history, the organization said.

"This gift ensures the long-term accessibility of Northeast Arc's sports and social programs
that promote a healthy lifestyle for kids and adults with disabilities," said Jo Ann Simons, President and CEO of Northeast Arc. "People with disabilities have the poorest health status of any population, and this record-breaking gift gives us a powerful tool to promote wellness and inclusion."

The gift to NeArc's Fund for Our Future will be used to create and sustain the Dick Jauron Director for Sports and Recreation position for the organization.

Jauron was a three-sport star at Swampscott High School who went on to a two-sport career at Yale University that earned him induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Jauron then played for the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals before becoming an NFL head coach with the Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears. He was named the NFL's Coach of the Year in 2001 with the Bears.

His wife, Gail, earned a PhD in Philosophy from Harvard and excelled in sports, including golf, tennis, and water skiing.

"My parents lived incredible lives of accomplishment but would want to be most remembered as good and honorable people who did their best to love and support family and friends," Kacy Jauron, their daughter, said. "Throughout their lives, they set an incredible example, giving both their time and money to support important causes.

"It means so much to our family that this gift will help so many people feel more included in their communities."

The Jaurons retired back to Swampscott following his coaching career. Kacy Jauron relocated to Swampscott and was previously part of the Northeast Arc's Development team.

Inclusion for athletes of all abilities became a focus of the family's philanthropic support, a natural extension of Gail Jauron's work done on the treatment of people with disabilities.

"My brother and his wife, Gail, were remarkable people who were deeply committed to community," said Robert Jauron. "We are very pleased that this gift serves as a legacy reflecting that commitment."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)