Cover photo for Donald Jackson's Obituary
Donald Jackson Profile Photo
1954 Donald 2021

Donald Jackson

December 31, 1954 — July 2, 2021

Donald aka “Don” aka “Donny D” Jackson, of Bridgeport CT, passed away on July 02, 2021 at Yale New Haven Hospital.Born on December 31, 1954, it’s no surprise that his birthday fell on one of the most exuberant holidays of the year. He was born to the late Sidney Jackson Jr. and Nancy Jackson in Columbia, SC. He loved the country and sharing stories about the many adventures he undertook as a young black who was raised in the south. The tapestry of his childhood was composed of stories that would take you to another time and place. He often told of how he walked miles on foot just to get to and from school, whether there was a blazing Carolina sun beating down on him or if it was a frigid winter day. His eyes lit up and a smile spread across his face when he told stories of childhood mischief. A personal favorite was the time he defied his grandmother who had prohibited him from going to the lake. Don was an avid fisherman and he just couldn’t resist the temptation. To his horror, he discovered the lake was full of water moccasins! By the time he reached the end of the story he had to pause between bursts of laughter as he described how hetook off so fast it was as if he ran on top of the water. Don had a jovial spirit, and he embraced his southern roots through his taste in style, music, and delectable and delicious southern cooking. His humble beginnings greatly influenced his frugal ways and border-line hoarding tendencies. To date, he has three freezers full of food. His family never quite understood what he planned to do with all of it. Don was skilled in culinary magic and loved to create mouthwatering spreads. Quite simply, food was his love language. In addition to being a food connoisseur, Don was an incredibly dedicated and inspirational figure. As a child, he dreamed of working on helicopters and his career was spent as an esteemed and dedicated hydraulic technician for Sikorsky Aircraft for over 35 years. A favorite mantra was “if you can dream you can do”. He shared this with all of the children he coached in football, basketball, and baseball. He was always available to help people, especially when it came to their cars- which seemed to break down right when he was finally ready to lay down. He had a knack for repairing things with creativity and ingenuity. He should have patented the number of uses he found for zip-ties. We do not have an exact number, but he is remembered for using them to hold up gas-tanks, tighten loose hoses, and repair the front porch. He liked to “work hard and play hard”. The “California Spitter Spider” prank sent children running from his yard. He would rig the water hose to shoot at the unsuspecting child, as he told them about the exotic spider that resided in his Connecticut residence. Luckily, no lawsuits were ever pursued. He is most remembered for his intoxicating sense of humor, even amidst the hardest of times. In his last days, no nurse, friend, or family member was safe from his pranks. He was a pillar of strength and a rock for many. And like a rock, Don possessed the hardness to endure circumstances even harder. More so, he was layered: stern in one instant and able to make you laugh so hard it hurt in another, full of wisdom yet as lighthearted and excitable as a child. He was hard to break and harder to move; his life was truly as magnificent as a mountain. As a family man, Don was often seen with the biggest smile every time his grandson achieved something new or when his granddaughters would hold his hands and try to help him get up due to those rickety knees… Or if someone offered him a plate of king crab legs. Don will be deeply missed, and his loved ones will keep him alive through the recipes and wisdom he shared. Those left to cherish his fond memories are: his wife, Marion Jackson of Bridgeport, CT; his three children, Nicole Jackson of Bridgeport, CT and Jonathan Jackson and Carol Ann Jackson, both of Waterbury, CT; his three grandchildren, Nasir Sumra of Bridgeport, CT and Cassandra and Nadya Jackson of Albany, NY; his dear stepmother Sarah Jackson of Bridgeport, CT; his siblings Susan Vernon of Tracey, CA and his brothers Darryl Jackson and Michael Jackson, both of Bridgeport, CT, and his sister Kenya Jackson of Cassatt, SC; and a host of kin, colleagues, and close friends. The family gratefully acknowledges the many acts of kindness and other expressions of sympathy extended to us during this time.
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Thursday, July 22, 2021

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Thursday, July 22, 2021

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