Obituary of Robert C. Jackson

Robert C. Jackson Robert C. Jackson, 84, died August 31, 2010 in Poughkeepsie. Born in Poughkeepsie on April 29, 1926 he was the son of the late Dane Dutton and Elizabeth Caswell Jackson. He was a graduate of Poughkeepsie High School and Middlebury College where he majored in mathematics. During World War II he served in the Pacific as a US Navy Aviation Electrician's Mate 3rd class preparing for the invasion of Japan. Mr. Jackson taught mathematics at the Manlius School, Manlius, NY from 1950 to 1952. He was employed by IBM Poughkeepsie from 1952 as an engineer and later a site administrator retiring in 1987. In the 1960's he was a Trustee for the Wappingers Central School District; Treasurer of First Congregational Church UCC of Poughkeepsie for 13 years, also a Trustee and a member of the choir. He was President of Family Services of Dutchess County in the early 1980's. He also served for 20 years as a member and/or chairman of the Town of Poughkeepsie Zoning Board of Appeals. He was a Bardavon member and volunteer for many years, and a long time participant in the Marist College Center for Lifetime Study program. He was the world's best soup maker and made countless servings of wonderful soup for a local soup kitchen. In May of 1995 he and his wife, Jacqueline, who predeceased him, were recognized by the Dutchess County Executive and the County Legislature as the "Dutchess County Senior Citizens of the Year for 1995." The last few years of Bob's life were spent on a project regarding the life and World War II adventures of his brother, Rear Admiral Percival Jackson who was the commanding officer of the US Navy's Composite Squadron VC-27 "Saints" in World War II. After being invited to a reunion of the remaining Squadron members in 2002, Bob was convinced there was a story to be told that might otherwise be lost. He wrote not only the history, but also the background of events and many personal reflections. Through this effort he made many friends across the country, most notably, Lt.jg Samuel H. Blackwell, Jr. of Tucker, Georgia, the unofficial "historian" for VC-27. Another project dear to his heart was the tracing of his genealogy. He spent many happy hours visiting libraries and cemeteries in search of his family history to pass on to his children. He is survived by his wife, Patricia J. Jackson at home; a son, Mark W. Jackson and his wife, Deneen of Highland, NY and three daughters, Melanie L. Jackson of Paris, France, Karen J. Birsky and her husband, Greg of Darien, CT and Dawn Marie Jackson of Nashua, NH. A brother, Rear Admiral Percival W. Jackson and a sister, Mary J. White, predeceased him. He is also survived by his step-children, Joseph D. Pault and his wife, Kate of Kenai, Alaska, Jerrold Pault and his wife, Cindy of Greeley, CO, Linda A. Pault of Wappingers Falls, William McGovern and his wife, Andrea of Mentor, OH, Barbara Bomba and her husband, Joseph of Highland, NY and Mitch McGovern and his wife, Laura of Castle Rock, CO. He leaves behind grandchildren, Ariane Lebot of Paris, France, Carolyn and Michelle Birsky of Darien, CT, Arielle and Julianne MacDonald of Nashua, NH, Kayleigh and Kyle Jackson of Poughkeepsie and Alexis Brinkman of Highland. Step-grandchildren include Doug, Tracy and Billy Martin McGovern of Brooklyn, Ian, Erin, Molly and Shae McGovern of Willoughby, OH, Joy and Alan Strancar of Mason, OH, Michael McGovern of Willowick, OH, Alex and Cooper Bomba of Highland, Jessie and T.J. McGovern of Castle Rock, CO, J.D. and Stacey Pault of Kenai, Alaska and Jessie, Jordan, Jake and Annie Pault of Greeley, CO. The family is grateful to Hospice, Inc. and the staff at Lutheran Care Rehab Center for their help in caring for Bob. We would especially like to thank Martha Brammer and Kathy Russ for their unfailing kindness to us during this difficult time. Visitation will be on Friday, September 3, 2010 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls. Services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, September 4 at the First Congregational Church UCC, 269 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie with Rev. Bruce Schoup officiating. Interment will follow in Wappingers Rural Cemetery. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Memorial Fund of the First Congregational Church UCC, 269 Mill Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. For directions to the funeral home or to send the family a personal condolence please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com