Raynold S. Jackson

Townsend: Raynold S. Jackson, 82, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, October 9, 2022. Ray was born August 19, 1940, in Ridley Park, PA. to Raynold Allen Jackson and Roberta (Pearson) Jackson. He is survived by his wife of 55 years Jane Lois (Thorpe) Jackson; son Brian of Northborough, and daughter Heather MacNeil, her husband Glen and grandchildren Connor and Violette all of Littleton; his sister Winnie Bierman of Morrisville, PA, and brother Kenneth Jackson of Levittown, PA, and several nieces and nephews. Also, his brother-in-law James Thorpe and his family of Bensalem, PA and was predeceased by his brother-in-law John Thorpe of Manchester, PA. He met Jane in April 1966 on the 5:09 West Trenton local commuter rail from Philadelphia - their stops being Cornwells Heights and Levittown respectively. After a marriage proposal in three months and a wedding in Bristol, PA the following April they were a one-stop couple. Employment with AT&T took them to Washington DC and in March 1969 relocated with AT&T to Ashburnham, MA. They moved to Townsend in October 1969 and have remained in the same home for 53 years. Ray proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the submarine USS Gudgeon for five-plus years. His post-Navy and first-time full-time job were for AT&T and he had a 25-year run in telecommunications. After a three-year hiatus from the telephone environment, he reentered the labor force to work for the FAA in Nashua, NH as a field engineer in the telecommunications division retiring a second time at age 72. We often thought his middle name was “Volunteer.” Need a helping hand? Speak up and Ray was there. He and Jane were recognized by the Friends of the Townsend Seniors for the annual Wm E May Endowment award in honor of their numerous activities in Townsend. He was a long-time member of the Council on Aging and a Troop 10 scoutmaster. He was an active member of the Congregational Church of Littleton and once a month he helped dish up the breakfasts, a former scout leader of Townsend’s Troop 10. Vacations were often combined with service projects including volunteering aboard the USS Missouri in Hawaii; thatching roofs in Williamsburg, VA, or putting thousands of flowers in mini-vases for floats in the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, CA. But his true passion was trails. Telephone test equipment was replaced on weekends with hazel hoes, pick-axes, lopers, blazing tape, and just about every item needed to improve the view and footing on hiking trails from the peaks of the White Mountains to trails in Leominster and Roylston, MA. He enjoyed working with the Squannacook River Rail Trail team to build the proposed bike and footpath from Townsend Center to Townsend Harbor. A time for visiting with family members will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 2 to 5 pm at the Anderson Funeral Home, 250 Main St., Townsend. A Celebration of Ray’s life will be held at the Congregational Church of Littleton, 330 King Street, Littleton, MA on Sunday, October 16 at 1 pm. Casual dress is suggested – trail t-shirts and/or sports-related clothing are welcome. He’d like that. Interment will be held at a date to be determined. The Anderson Funeral Home, 250 Main Street, Townsend is assisting the family with arrangements, for additional information or to leave an online condolence please visit their website at www.andersonfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to a charity of your choice.

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Raynold S. Jackson

August 9, 1940 - October 9, 2022