Phillip P. Jackson

VESTAL - Phillip Patrick Jackson of Vestal completed his earthly journey on August 7, just days before his 89th birthday. He was born on August 26, 1933 in New York City, the first son of Philip and Mary Lynch Jackson, now deceased. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Gerard Harkins, and his first wife, Nancy Brown Jackson, mother of his children. He is survived by two brothers, Edward (Eileen) Jackson and Hugh (Celeste) Jackson; his children Patrick (Joanne) Jackson of Horseheads, Margaret (Brian) Madeiros of Merrimac, MA, and Ellen (Michael) Vachon of Johnson City, and his wife, Carolyn Huston Jackson. He leaves behind treasured grandchildren Christina (Scott) Behney, Michelle (Joel) Francesconi, Christopher Madeiros, Daniel Madeiros, Kyle Vachon, Kelli (Edward) McCormack and Nicholas (Gina) Vachon, as well as his beloved great grandchildren Olivia, Alexander, and Angelo Behney, Magnolia Vachon, and Gianna Francesconi. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and very dear friends. In his presence, friends and family enjoyed his wit and his many varied stories, often told with great animation. After graduating from Forest Hills High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, serving four years during the Korean Conflict, and was honorably discharged as Airman 1/C in 1956. His broadcasting career began at WNBF-TV, advancing from producer/ director to Program Director. In 1968, he joined WSKG and became Station Manager, responsible for successfully guiding WSKG out of indebtedness exceeding $1M, by recruiting a cadre of dedicated volunteers and creating an annual fundraising auction. This base of community support continues to thrive. In recognition of achieving a reputation for excellence in broadcasting, he was inducted into the Southern Tier Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame (housed in the Bundy Museum of History and Art) in 2010. Phil received his Associate’s degree from Broome Community College (now SUNY-Broome). He completed his bachelor’s degree and his master’s degree at Binghamton University, where his unusual master’s thesis presentation was done in video tape format. In 1980, he joined the Town of Union as Deputy Commissioner of Public Works, the position from which he retired in 1999. His work there was acknowledged with an award for outstanding and meritorious achievement by the New York Chapter of the American Public Works Administration in 1997. Phil was a committed volunteer, with past service on the Board of Directors of the Binghamton Girls’ Club, Broome County Catholic Social Services, West Endicott Board of Fire Commissioners, Board of Directors of the Union Volunteer Ambulance Service and as a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee of the Town of Union. His involvement in the West Endicott Fire Department included service as a firefighter and as an ambulance attendant. A member of St. James Church in Johnson City,he had been an usher and member of a bereavement luncheon committee. Retirement in 1999 allowed more time for family, his passionate dedication, and for pursuit of his interests in woodworking, landscaping, and travel, including a very special trip to Ireland, his parents’ homeland, with his brothers, their wives, and Carolyn. The family is grateful for the compassionate care given to Phil by ideal Senior Living Center during the past two years. A funeral Mass will be offered at 11 AM Friday August 19th at St James Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at the church from 10AM until the time of the service. Military services will be offered after the mass. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for AVRE (Association for Vision, Rehabilitation & Employment), Food Bank of the Southern Tier, or a charity of one’s choice.

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