Jack Scott Silar was born in West York, Pennsylvania, in July 1948. As a child, he grew up in the family carnival business owned by his grandfather, Charles Bridgen. Named after York being the “White Rose City”, White Rose Amusements toured the Central PA region. Jack would often marvel at the larger James E. Strates show playing at the York Interstate Fair. White Rose eventually played York with their kiddie rides on the independent midway.

In 1962, Jack moved with his parents, Jack V. and Cordelia, to Hershey, PA, as they were hired as Houseparents at Milton Hershey School. Jack attended Hershey Senior High School, where he met his eventual wife, Gretchen. Jack starred as a high school athlete and began working at Hershey Park in the summers. His first job was as a ride operator on The Bug (https://amusementparkives.com/2021/01/05/the-bug-1933-1981-2/). Coincidentally, Gretchen also worked in Comet Hollow in a nearby concession stand.

Following graduating from Hershey Senior High School in 1966, Jack attended Harrisburg Area Community College, where he majored in Public Administration. During the summer months of his college years, Jack toured with Boas Brothers Circus (Circus Kirk) as their Concessions Manager.

Following his return home, Jack took on full-time roles as Assistant Food & Beverage Manager, Assistant Operations Manager, and finally Personnel Manager at Hersheypark, where he combined his love of the various amusement and leisure areas he had experienced. 

Following the 1981 season, Jack returned to Hersheypark as the newest Assistant General Manager.  Over the years, Jack was promoted to General Manager and ultimately Vice President of Sports & Entertainment for Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. In 1984, he served on a committee to promote amusement ride safety in Pennsylvania.  These efforts proved successful with the passing and signing of the Amusement Ride Safety Act by Governor Dick Thornburgh. In 1989-1991, Jack served as President of the Pennsylvania Amusement Parks Association (PAPA) and served on its Board of Directors for many years.  Jack also became heavily involved with the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA), eventually serving on its Board of Directors.

Even while managing a major leisure destination, Jack saved time to continue serving his community in the volunteer fire service.  Jack became Assistant Fire Chief of the Hershey Volunteer Fire Company, where he eventually became a Life Member.

Jack always seemed to talk about specific projects more than others.  He always enjoyed talking about building the Canyon River Rapids at Hersheypark and would often joke, “But did you book The Dead?” joking about bringing the Grateful Dead to the Hersheypark Stadium.

In the mid-1990s, Jack formed his newest venture, Midway Management Services.  Jack specialized in risk management inspections and incident investigations, touring the entire United States to visit large and small-scale permanent and portable operators, helping them understand risk assessments in the amusement industry.

Throughout his career, Jack continued to have a love for giving back and sharing knowledge with others in the amusement industry. Jack served for many years as seminar coordinator and instructor for the Pennsylvania Amusement Parks & Carnivals Education Safety Seminar (PACE), the American Recreational Equipment Association (AREA), and the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO), where he also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. This involvement allowed him to visit many national and state seminars to help coordinate and instruct.