Think you know all about JFK? You probably don't know 'Jack'

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Feb 12, 2008 | by Marsha Lederman

TORONTO -- The man who American journalists are investigating as the possible illegitimate son of John F. Kennedy lives in British Columbia and bears a striking resemblance to the 35th president of the United States.

So much so that people will sometimes stop him on the street.

"Not in a funny way, but in a scary way," the man named Jack said during a meeting Saturday morning.

Jack, who has asked that his full identity not be revealed at this time, approached The Globe and Mail on Friday after the newspaper ran an article about the possible existence of a John F. Kennedy love child living in Vancouver.

Wary that he would become the subject of a media hunt to discover his identity, he said he chose to come forward.

"The story was out and I thought that it might be best to approach you directly rather than have people make guesses, assumptions," he said.

First word of the tale came Thursday in the New York Post.

The tabloid reported in its popular Page Six gossip column that Vanity Fair magazine had been working on a story about an illegitimate child of Kennedy, now living in Vancouver. The Post said Vanity Fair had decided not to publish the story after contacting the office of Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy (the late president's brother), but would run the article once it had proof -- such as a DNA match.

Jack, clearly keen for DNA tests to be undertaken, is asking Kennedy family members to provide samples.

"Vanity Fair needs help. We need JFK DNA and, barring that, DNA from any male Kennedy directly related to Joe Kennedy (JFK's father), either in the U.S. or Ireland (for a Y chromosome analysis)," Jack read from a prepared statement on Friday.

He is asking that the DNA samples be sent to David Friend, the Vanity Fair journalist who has been working on the story.

"I think their prudence is warranted," Jack said of Friend and Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter. He described them as "top-notch journalists" and "people of integrity."

Jack is tall, slim, with a freckled complexion, hazel eyes and thick reddish-brown hair, parted on the left, swept across his forehead. He has perfectly straight teeth -- Kennedy teeth, one might be tempted to say. Sitting across from him, the term "boyish" comes to mind.

He appeared well-heeled, dressed in brown leather shoes and a preppy white shirt/gray V-neck sweater combination under a charcoal blazer, paired with blue pants. He wore a smart wool coat, purchased overseas. If his clothing is any indication, he is a man of some means.

"Perfectly fine," was how he described his financial situation.

He insists he is not going public for the money.

"I told Vanity Fair that I would sign an agreement with the Kennedys immediately, in which I agree not to pursue any financial remuneration from the JFK estate whatsoever."

So is he coming forward? Or did Vanity Fair find him? He would not say. But he hinted there is more to the situation than tawdry details.

Jack said he never met John F. Kennedy, although they shared some time together before the president was assassinated in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.

Jack declined to give his age for the record, but the New York Post reported he is in his late 40s. "I had a fantastic father-son relationship with the man who raised me," Jack said, describing his childhood as "idyllic." He would not say anything about his mother, described by the New York Post as being a Texan.

Jack, who said he moved recently to British Columbia, grew up and was educated in the United States and remains an American citizen. He said his wife is Canadian.

There are children, he said, adding: "I know that the in-laws are fired up that we're here."

He said that security -- as well as privacy -- is a concern and that security staff have been hired to look after him and his family. Given the Kennedys' history, he is nervous.

When asked how he reacts when told by strangers that he bears a strong resemblance to JFK, he said: "Smile. Go on. Watch over my shoulder."