Edward Meserve Jackson died peacefully on April 19 at Washington, D.C. Community Hospice, after a long illness and stroke.
He was born Sept. 19, 1927 in Arlington, Mass., the son of Robert Camm and Dorothy Meserve Jackson.
A resident of Washington, D.C. for more than 40 years, he enjoyed several careers as a journalist, Maine lobster and seafood marketing executive, and regional health planning leader. A philosophy major, he graduated from Bowdoin College in 1950.
Ed was known for his gentle spirit, dry wit, warm smile, great sense of humor, and his positive outlook on life in spite of adverse health issues. He had a deep compassion for people and animals.
In addition to writing, he had a love of music, literature, vintage movies, antiques, and sailing.
His early career was in newspapers, beginning with Pacific Stars and Stripes in Japan after WWII. After he returned to Maine, he was a reporter and editor for the Lewiston Sun and The Kennebec Journal. His newspaper work led him to Maine’s Salt Water Farm, Inc., a seafood marketing company based in Damariscotta, where he served for many years as vice president of marketing. During this time he served on the Miles Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees and joined with state health leaders in launching Maine’s first health planning agency.
He was the founder and first executive director of Aroostook Health Services, Presque Isle, which became a model for other regions and states. His work in health planning led him to the Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) health division where he served as analyst and director. His pioneering teamwork with ARC colleagues and state leaders led to dramatic changes in healthcare delivery in 13 Appalachian states and landmark reports, including The Medically Poor in Central Appalachia and Toward a National Health Policy: Some Rural Necessities. The ARC health program established some of the benchmarks that are now included in President Obama’s National Health Initiative.
Intrigued with the potential for computer technology in 1985, he signed on as managing editor of Professional Computing Magazine. Later he directed the United Mine Workers (UMW) Health and Retirement Funds Resolution of Disputes program.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert; and daughter, Alice “Tally” Vinal. His first marriage to Katherine Foehr ended in divorce.
Survivors include his wife, Nel J. Jackson; children, Peter (Lucinda Smith) Jackson and Katherine (Jonathan) Eaton of Damariscotta, Sara (Chris) Hanna of Round Pond, and Edward (Jan) Jackson of Salisbury, Mass.; son-in-law, John (Lena) Vinal of Edgecomb; grandchildren, Joshua and Lindsay Eaton, Margaret and Sara Hanna, Charles and David Jackson, Jennifer (David) DeSisto, Carey (Jessica) and Peter Smith, Sumner (Jennifer) McKane, and Max (Sara) Vinal; great-grandchildren, Riley Jackson, Tony Alice Hanna, Noelle Vinal, Harriet and Piper McKane, and Christopher and Ariana DeSisto; nieces and nephew; his Council and Gibson families; and the small circle of friends who supported him during his illness.
Before he died, Ed made a point of saying his life had been filled with many celebrations and that his favorites were weddings, births, graduations, reunions, and lobster feasts. The celebrations that he found most difficult were the funerals of family and friends. With this in mind, he asked for a celebration of life which will be held later this summer in Maine. Cremation arrangements are in care of Joseph Gawler’s Sons Funeral Directors.
Private celebration for close friends and neighbors 1-3 p.m., Sun., May 5 at the Jackson family’s Washington, D.C. home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Washington Home and Community Hospices, P.O. Box 759240, Baltimore, MD 12175, www.thewashingtonhome.org; Hebrew Home, 6121 Montrose Rd., Rockville, MD 20852, www.hebrewhome.org;
National Stroke Association, 9707 East Easter Lane, Centennial, CO 80112, www.stroke.org; or Miles Memorial Hospital, Development Office – Alice T. Vinal Fund, 35 Miles St., Damariscotta, ME 04543, www.mileshealthcare.org.
Please visit www.josephgawlers.com for more information and to share memories.
