Donald F. Jackson, age 76, of Stoneham formerly of Winchester, passed away early Thursday morning, May 7th, surrounded by his loving family following a lengthy illness. He was the beloved husband of Margaret T. (Meaney) with whom he shared fifty-three years of marriage. Born in Newburgh, NY he was the son of the late Colin and Ethel (Decker) Jackson.
Mr. Jackson was a retired police officer and served as a patrolman for the Winchester Police Department for over 20 years. He was appointed to the Winchester Police Dept. in 1965 and in 1968 he was presented with a Meritorious Service Award for his participation in apprehension of a Boston area criminal charged with 22 counts including kidnapping, rape and armed robbery.
Mr. Jackson was born and raised in Newburgh, NY where he was a graduate of the Newburgh Free Academy and was an outstanding student athlete and excelled in football. Following high school, Mr. Jackson honorably served in the United States Navy for four years during the Korean War. Mr. Jackson was mostly devoted to his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He also loved fishing and traveling, whether taking trips to Florida or ten years ago when he and his wife traveled to Ireland for a wonderful vacation.
In addition to his beloved wife, Mr. Jackson is survived by his children, Donald F. Jackson Jr. and his wife Victoria of Reading, Michael Jackson and his wife Lisa of North Andover, Theresa A. Deroo and her husband Richard of Reading, Kathleen M. Maida and her husband Chuck of Stoneham. He is also survived by ten loving grandchildren. He is further survived by his sister, Elizabeth Presutti of Newburgh, NY and is predeceased by his brothers, the late Robert and Daniel Jackson. Loving uncle of Gayle Lewis of Framingham.
His funeral services will be held from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St. Woburn, Tuesday at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Patrick Church, 71 Central St., Stoneham, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours at the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home will be held Monday from 4 thru 8. Services will conclude with burial at Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Donald's memory to the VNA of Middlesex-East & Visiting Nurse Hospice, 607 North Ave, Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880.