Orphaned when he was 3 years old, he knew little of his parents or his heritage. Until he was 14 he lived on Chicago's south side in Angel Guardian Orphan's Asylum, Unable to cope with the Catholic restraints on the children living there, he turned to the streets and managed to survive though his stealth, imagination and will. By the time Jarek was 17 he realized he needed a name change. Jarek Dakownik was too ethnic to give him any edge so he adopted the name of Jack Delaney. Jack for American author Jack London. Although Jarek had read little in his early years, "The Call of the Wild by London resonated with him and his childhood.

Jack needed a stable way to make a living so he took up photography and writing. He started out by freelancing for the Chicago Tribune but soon tired of the routine so he turned his attention to his photography. Not the great photographer he had envisioned himself to become he did manage to earn a modest living by combining both talents.

At the age of 33 Jack took his show on the road. Traveling from state to state, city to city, town to town, in search of whatever stories and photographs he could find. But time and sleeping it too many rundown motels, too much gin, vodka and bourbon caught up to him.