The Peru Gazette

By John T. Ryan

February 20, 2025, Peru, NY –  John “Jack’ Coste is a popular man at Elmore SPCA. As of last November, the 89-year-old Morrisonville resident had collected $100,000 of refundable beverage containers, with all the proceeds benefitting the SPCA. On January 31, he reached $106,047. When Jack started in 2020, a big month totaled $1,200. Last November, he received $4,324 for containers he brought to the Morrisonville Redemption Center. Today, many people call him “Bottleman Jack.” He’s earned the title.

Why put forth all this effort? Jack explained, “I knew I had to keep busy after I retired. My brother-in-law Mike Parsons asked me to accompany him on a pickup run, which I liked. I wanted to do something for animals. It really upsets me when somebody mistreats an animal. I can’t go inside the shelter because I want to take them all home.”

Like most achievements, Jack’s accomplishment took hard work and persistence. He commented, “I pick up containers at five collection boxes daily, no matter the weather, even if it’s cold like today. (4 degrees). I also paint and refurbish the collection boxes every year.”

Jack has an excellent support team. His wife, Sue Ellen, tallies the numbers and travels with him on Saturday. John McCarty at the Morrisonville Redemption Center counts the containers and puts the proceeds aside for Jack. Mike Parsons substitutes when Jack takes time off for appointments and helps him refurbish the collection boxes when needed. Laurie Parsons, Mike’s wife, the Elmore SPCA President, handles publicity, which she increased as Jack’s total neared $100,000. 

Jack’s lifetime experiences undoubtedly contribute to his success. A Plattsburgh native and M.A.I. graduate, Jack served three years in the Marine Corps and four years in the Marine Corps Reserves. He recalls, “After high school, I needed to learn discipline. I got that in 1953 at Parris Island boot camp. It was good for me. It taught me that if you have a job, get it done and do it right.”  The Parris Island 1953 lettering on Jack’s cap reflects his Marine Corp. pride.

Jack spent 30 years working in the construction industry as a member of Laborers Local 186, shooting high-pressure concrete, often atop high scaffolding, constructing new dams, and rebuilding old dams in New York and New England. Sometimes, he was out of the area for up to three weeks. For 40 years, he had time to join the Saranac Lake and Lake Placid bobsled teams, drive a two-man sled, and eventually serve as a race director and international judge.

A Dave Brubeck Quartet jazz tune started playing during our interview at Rulfs Cafe. Jack perked up, saying that after active Marine Corps duty, he played drums in New York City jazz bands for three years. Back home in the North Country, he played in local bands and productions. For years, Jack operated Penalty Box Sports Bar and Pappy Jack’s Pub on Route 9 north of Plattsburgh. Following that, he performed insurance company liability inspections for eighteen years.

Now that Jack’s surpassed the $100,000, he’s not ready to stop. He said, “You can’t do enough for animals. I’ll keep collecting as long as I can. It keeps me busy, and it keeps me young. When I turned 80, I celebrated by jumping out of an airplane. We’ll have a little party on June 11 if I make 90. The doctor said the only way I wouldn’t make 90 is if a truck hit me.”

There are two container collection boxes at the SPCA. Others are located at Lucky’s on the Irish Settlement Road, Tails of the Adirondacks on Route 3, and Penny’s Homestyle Cooking on the Tom Miller Road.