Frederick Thomas Jackson, 88, of the Village of Harlem, New York passed away peacefully at Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester, after a period of declining health surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

An in-depth bebop and avant-garde listener, devotee and oral historian of jazz music and a life-long lover of football, Frederick retired from IBM in Natick in 1992 after a rewarding 30-year career as an Administrative Analyst. A military veteran, he served with the U.S. Army Signal Corps at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in the late 1950s before relocating to Worcester. After a stint on active duty, he honorably   served with the Army Reserve 288th Signal Company, Radio Relay VHF detachment in Worcester and the Army Security Agency at Fort Devens for 15 years while employed with IBM where he held the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Frederick’s devoted and loving wife of 54 years, Edith Jackson (née Wright), passed away peacefully in her sleep at their home after a long period of declining health on May 6, 2020.  He is survived by his adult daughter Sonya D. Parris (née Jackson), Head Start Teacher with Catholic Charities of Baltimore City and her husband, Christopher D. Parris, Sr. of New York City, U.S. Navy Combat Veteran and Telecom Specialist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Maryland, blessed with two adult grandchildren, nieces and nephews. At the end of his life he would share companionship with two rescued animals, a cat named Eevee and a dog named Sunny.

In addition, he leaves three surviving childhood friends: James Gray of Worcester, a fellow retired “IBMer” and former Army Reserve Detachment Commander, David W. Scott, a former Harlem River Housing Project resident and retired NYPD Chief of Police of New York City, and Robert Spence, a long-time friend and first cousin of Worcester.

Frederick was, affectionately, known as “Grandpa” to his two beloved grandchildren, Makayla G. Parris (2nd year Grad Student and Teaching Fellow at Springfield College) and Christopher D. Parris, Jr. (an Eagle Scout and undergrad student at Frostburg State University). Although raised in Columbia, Maryland they both remained frequent visitors and have enjoyed quality time with their doting grandparents in Worcester.

Frederick is predeceased by his loving wife Edith Jackson (née Wright) of Norfolk, Virginia, their son Gilbert F. Jackson (1969-1990), Alumni of Quinsigamond Community College, his devoted mother Marion L. Jackson (née Rhodes) of Worcester, former NAACP chapter officer and his caring father, Private Frederick T. Jackson of Glens Falls, NY, a campaign decorated veteran who honorably severed in the Meuse-Argone offensive and Villers-sous-Preny in France with the 367^th (Buffalo) Infantry Regiment, 92^nd Infantry Division during World War I.

Frederick’s paternal grandfather, Horace I. Jackson, includes a lineage of future In-laws (Howards, Meros, Hayes, and Hazards), each honorably severed with Union forces during the American Civil War. Private Horace I. Jackson, Company G, 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment sustained injuries by bayonet during the Battle of Olustee in Florida. He survived from his wounds, later discharged and returned home. He would later marry Harriet “Hattie” Jackson (née Howard) of Rutland, Vermont and together they raised a large family which included their son, Freddy. Private Horace I. Jackson was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) Post Wing No. 147, Edgar M. Wing, Glens Falls, NY.

There will be a graveside service on Friday, April 28, 2023 @ 10:00AM at Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. There are no calling hours.

Frederick was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church. Donations in his memory may be made to Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant Street, Worcester, MA 01602