Philip C. Jackson, who just turned 88 years old, passed away on Wednesday, November 22nd at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Phil grew up in Pompton Plains, NJ, the son of Philip J. Jackson and Mary Bollhorst. He worked his way through Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, graduating with honors with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While rising through the ranks at Bendix corporation in Teterboro, NJ, he met a certain Elizabeth (Betty) Berosky in the cafeteria. A connection quickly formed, sparks flew, and in 1959 a lifetime partnership replete with love and devotion ensued. Three children soon followed - Sandy, Chris and Phil Jr.
Between working and starting a family, Phil somehow found the time to acquire a Master’s degree in Engineering and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Stevens. He and his partners founded a company - Instrumentation Engineering - which designed and built electronic test equipment for computers. He moved on to work for the Grumman Corporation, and later joined a partner from his original start-up to lead a highly successful defense industry consulting firm (Giordano Associates). Phil was an inventor and an innovator, so much so that he was granted (4) US patents in the design of electronic test equipment.
As he was transitioning into retirement, Phil and Betty moved to the Cape, where they had vacationed for decades. Phil and Betty spent many years in the town of Brewster watching sunsets over Griffiths Pond. He loved being home most of all, whether he was building or fixing something around the house, watching the Patriots win yet again, collecting toy trains, reading any available book on WWII, or especially entertaining friends and family. A few years ago when Phil’s health started to decline they moved to Thirwood Place in South Yarmouth.
Phil was a kind soul, had grit and smarts in spades, was fiercely independent and proud, and was someone who inherently believed in giving back. He served on the Brewster Zoning Board of Appeals, kept the books for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, and ushered masses with Betty at Our Lady of the Cape Chapel. They were a renowned ushering team.
He is survived by Betty - his wife of 63 years - his daughter Dr. Christine Jackson of Ramsey, NJ, her husband Dr. Joseph Odin and their sons Alex and Marcus, as well as his son Philip T. Jackson of Lexington, MA, his wife Michelle Ciccolo, and their sons Dylan and Foster. His beloved daughter Sandy passed away in 2011. His family meant everything to him.
A funeral mass for Phil will be held on Tuesday, December 12th at 1pm at Our Lady of the Cape Catholic Church in Brewster, MA.
The funeral mass will be livestreamed on the church website - www.ourladyofthecape.org
In lieu of flowers or to make a donation in Phil’s memory, please consider a gift to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (ssvpusa.org).
