Ralph I Jackson , December 29, 1928 — September 16, 2018

Ralph I. Jackson passed away in peace surrounded by his family on September 16, 2018 at the age of 89. He was preceded in death by wife Rose on July 1, to whom he was married to for 61 years. Ralph attended school and resided in Herkimer, NY until enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1949 and was stationed at Landsberg Air Base in Germany where he earned, among other awards, the Army of Occupation Medal.

After his discharge in 1952, he returned home and began working at General Electric in Utica, NY, where he met his wife Rose, and they began their family, having four children. While Ralph worked at GE, the family moved to Huntsville, AL, where they welcomed a fifth child, and then onto Pittsfield, MA where the family resided until Ralph’s retirement from GE after a 36-year career. Ralph and Rose then began spending their winters as “snowbirds” by heading to Ormond Beach, FL for the winter months each year.

Ralph enjoyed golfing, and watching the NY Yankees, and he was an avid reader and enjoyed dining out for one of his favorite meals, breakfast (Rusty’s in Holyoke, MA was a recent favorite). Ralph especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and took pride in all they did. The day before he passed away, he was happy to hear a great grandchild is on the way.

Ralph is survived by his sister Barbara Doxtader of Palm Harbor, FL and brother Richard Jackson of Ilion, NY, son Dan Jackson and husband Ken Salvas of Port Orange, FL; daughter Rose Knapik and husband Joe of Holyoke, MA; son John Jackson and wife Kristen of Pittsfield, MA; daughter Joyce Sammons and husband Tom of Pittsfield, MA; and daughter Sheri Branco and husband Mark of N. Chelmsford, MA. Ralph also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren; Nathanael Jackson, Alexandria Couper and husband Jon, Jessica Sammons, Christian Sammons, Hanna Branco, Benjamin Branco, as well as many nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. The family would like to thank the staff at Loomis House Retirement Community where he lived until passing, and the staff at Holyoke Medical Center who helped make him comfortable in his final days.

Private services will be held for family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider making a donation to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, MA www.

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