Who is Mr. Jonathan Spring from Whatever Happened to Janie? and what is their importance?

Mr. Jonathan Spring is described as a big bear of a man, who enjoy physical rough housing with his children. He still likes to pick them up as though they are just toddlers and often wrestles with the boys that he bear hugs, throws pillows at, and races to see who will control the remote. He has a red beard that marks him as one of the Spring family and enjoys telling jokes. He likes to attend the many games his children are involved in, cheering them on and taking videos of each event.