Richard ‘Dick’ H. Jackson passed away on February 9, 2015. Richard was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1931 to Richard Percy and Isabel Drew Jackson. Following graduation from Brown & Nichols School Cambridge Massachusetts, he attended Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Seamanship and Navigation. He sailed with the Isthmian Steamship Company and was commissioned into the United States Navy in 1956 and served during the Korean War. Richard is a retired Lieutenant Commander from United States Navy. In 1957, in Japan, Richard married Yvonne Beadsworth of Calcutta India. Following their wedding, Richard and Yvonne were stationed briefly in San Diego, California. In August of 1957, Richard and Yvonne moved to Marion Massachusetts where they have resided for 57 years. While living in Marion, Richard served as Wharfinger at Old Landing Wharf from 1969 to 1976 and also served as Assistant Director of Civil Defense from 1971 to 1976. Following his Navy service, Richard was an instructor at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and worked as an Industrial Engineer for Sippican Corporation, Acushnet Company, and Davol Corporation. But most of his joy was found spending time with his family and friends on the “Yvonne M”, boating, fishing, lobstering, scalloping, quahoging and generally enjoying the salt air and sea swells. Richard and Yvonne also enjoyed travelling, having traveled to all 7 continents.
He is survived by his beloved wife Yvonne M. Jackson, Jo Ann Watson and son-in-law Doug Watson (Marion, MA), daughter Karen Jackson Boonstra (Arlington, MA), daughter Amy Drew Jackson-Grove and son-in-law Wesley Grove (Glastonbury, CT). He was also the loving cherished grandfather to Alexander Drew Boonstra, Jackson Tyler Boonstra, Sonia L. Jackson Boonstra, Lucas Jackson Grove and Sarah Drew Grove. Richard is survived by many dear friends and extended family from Marion and around the world.
Richard belonged to the Congregational Church of Marion, serving as a Deacon for many years. A memorial service will be held at the Marion Congregational Church on April 25, 2015 at 11am. Per Richard’s request, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Richard’s memory can be made to the Deaconess Fund Marion Congregational Church http://marionfirstchurch.org/contact-us and would be appreciated.