Obituary of Edward Samuel Jackson

Col. Edward S. Jackson, CD (Ret), age 95, passed away peacefully at Victoria Hospital, London on 29 January 2017 surrounded by his family. Although our hearts are saddened by the great void that will be left in our lives, we are comforted by the realization that he now once again stands straight and tall, reunited with his beloved wife, Audrey Pitt (1971), his dear granddaughter Stephanie (1974), his parents Thomas (1968) and Elsie (1985) Jackson, and his sister Norine Mellon (2012) in the heavenly kingdom. Ted raised his sons George (Bonnie) and David (Cindy) to be strong, confident and responsible men and took great pride in their accomplishments and careers. He had a special soft spot in his heart for his girls, daughter Elizabeth (Mearle Doucet) who was his strength during the difficult days of Audrey's illness and death and Marilyn (Keith Campbell) whose privilege it was to hold his hand as his own health declined. He will be remembered lovingly by thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren, his sister Jean and her husband Stan Davies, Audrey's brothers and sisters, George and Audrey Pitt, Mary Daley, Joan Pitt, and Jack and Paulette Pitt, and numerous nieces and nephews. Ted will be remembered for his love of his family, his service to his country and the communities in which he lived, his lively interest in people and his playful sense of humour. He enlisted in the RCAF in 1940 at eighteen years of age and had a distinguished 35-year career with the Canadian Forces. As a non-commissioned officer, his early years were spent at various locations including Centralia, St Jean, Camp Borden, and Clinton. After being commissioned from the ranks, he commanded the Canadian support unit at Ramstein, Germany, then returned to NDHQ in Ottawa and ended his military career at Air Command Headquarters in Winnipeg. A highlight of his career was the 18 months during which he helped organize and then commanded one of the trains that transported the participants of the Canadian Armed Forces Tattoo that travelled and performed across the country in celebration of the country's centennial in 1967. Following his retirement from the Forces, Ted worked for five years with ITT in Guelph at the time when they were developing Canada's postal code system. He then relocated to Grand Bend for his "real" retirement, but became active in the Residents' Association at Grand Cove Estates where he lived, the Grand Bend Concert Association, Youth and Music Canada, and the London Opera Guild, where he made lasting friendships and enjoyed numerous music tours to the wonderful opera stages of Europe and the US. His senior years were enriched by these travels and the friends who shared his love of this art. We, his family, will treasure our memories of a Dad whose first priority was always his family. His Sunday letters, originally to his parents and then to his children as we gradually left the nest, gave way to regular telephone calls as his handwriting deteriorated. He was always anxious to hear about the activities of his grandchildren and, in recent years, his great grandchildren. He practiced a quiet but strong faith, and lived the Christian values learned early in his life. His patient acceptance of his gradual decline and loss of independence over these past months and years will be a constant inspiration to us all. Thanks must be extended to the caring and capable staff at Maple View Terrace Retirement home, in particular his best buddy, the "Bingo Queen" Gail with her seemingly endless supply of pecan tarts, and her trusty sidekick Nurse Karen, who became expert at taping Dad back together following his frequent falls. The efforts of all the staff made it possible for Dad to stay in place at the retirement home. Visitors will be received at St. John The Divine Church, 390 Baseline Road West, London on Thursday morning, February 2nd from 9:30 am until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11 am. Interment to take place at the Harris Street Cemetery, Ingersoll, Ontario in the spring. Donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated. (DONOHUEFUNERALHOME.CA)