Westford - Robert Orville Jackson, 91, died Sunday January 13, 2013 at the Green Mountain Nursing Home in Colchester. Bob was born in Westford on October 2, 1921, the youngest son of Orville and Ethel (Leach) Jackson. Losing both of his parents at a young age, Bob and his older brothers worked on the family farm during their childhood, maintaining it the best they knew how, cutting wood, sugaring, farming and doing odd jobs to earn money. He attended graded school in Westford, graduated from BFA in Fairfax with the Class of 1940, he then continued his education at the Agricultural School in Randolph, now known as VTC , where he graduated in 1942. He then moved to Redford, NY where he worked on a large dairy farm until 1951. It was at this time, he met his future wife, Helen Broland. He and Helen were married in Schenectady on February 3, 1951. They returned to the Jackson home farm in Westford, where they raised their daughter Lynn. Eventually leaving dairy, Bob continued to raise Hereford cattle and worked at various jobs throughout the years. He retired from the Essex Junction Educational Center in 1986, following 16 years of employment. Bob served the Westford Community as Town Agent and as a Westford Cemetery Commissioner for over 20 years. His many interest and hobbies included taking pictures, having an extensive collections throughout the years from trips and outings, antique cars and attending car shows, the Westford Historical Society, the Westford Baptist Church, the Brick Meeting House Society and traveling. He was able to visit 49 states and several Canadian Provinces. He also enjoyed Westford senior lunches when he was able to attend. Bob was a member of the F&AM for over 65 years and was very active with the Historical Society in Westford. Bob was a true Vermonter and very proud of his Westford roots, his home and his beautiful stone walls that graced his property. He is survived by his daughter Lynn Gauthier and her husband David of Westford. His sisters-in-law Joanne Jackson and Marie Broland, both of PA. and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife Helen in 1988, by his brothers Myron Jackson in 1940, David Jackson in 1988, and Daniel Jackson in 2004, by several in-laws and his favorite cat Morris. Visiting hours for Bob will be held on Friday January 18, 2013 from 11-2 pm with a funeral service following at 2 pm in the Minor Funeral and Cremation Center in Milton. All are invited to a reception following at 3pm on Friday January 18, 2013 in the Brick Meeting House in Westford. Memorial contributions in Bob's name may be made to either the Pleasant View Cemetery Assoc., c/o Lynn Gauthier, P.O. Box 1, Westford, VT 05494 or to the Westford Historical Society, P.O. Box 21, Westford, VT 05494. Bob's family would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff at the Green Mountain Nursing Home for the Excellent Care given to Bob during his stay and to all of his neighbors & friends that have helped him throughout the years.
