Joseph J. Jackson

Joseph J. Jackson, or “Josie J” to his close friends, lived life to the fullest, until his passing on Friday, January 6, 2017 at the Francis House. Joe was born on November 4, 1928 and lived most of his 88 years on the Northside of Syracuse. He attended St. John the Baptist School and graduated from Assumption Catholic Academy. His high school basketball career was the beginning of his love affair with sports, especially his beloved New York Yankees. Joe met the love of his life, Marilyn Reschke, while in high school in 1943 and they married on September 23, 1950. Joe and Marilyn celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary this past September. Joe began his business career at Solvay Process, and in 1964 founded Supama Coal Sales Company. Supama was named after his daughters Susan, Patti and Mary Beth. When he wasn’t spending time with his family or developing his business, Joe generously donated his time, talents and treasures to youth sports and to Assumption. In 1968, Joe became the first lay athletic director in the Parochial League at Assumption. His stylish sport coats led him to be described in a newspaper article as the “Fashion Plate of the Parochial League.” Joe’s priorities were always family and friends. He treasured being a member of the Pastime Athletic Club for over 50 years and was twice honored as Sportsman of the Year at the Club. He considered the friendships of his fellow Pastime members to be priceless. Joe loved to travel with family and friends when he wasn’t “exercising” at the Pastime Club. Some of his favorite memories were on journeys to Cancun, California, Florida and Jamaica. He would regularly remind his children that, “You will never be rich enough to be without family and friends.” Joe was predeceased by his mother, Mary Regensberger Jackson; his sister, Jane O’Shea and his beloved wife Marilyn, who passed away on December 7, 2016. Joe is survived by his daughters, Susan (Paul) Shubmehl of Syracuse, Patricia Jackson of Liverpool, and Mary Beth (William) Donovan of Liverpool; grandchildren, Daniel (Jessica) DiMarco of Syracuse, Morgan (Devin Mackie) Donovan of Boston, and Lauren Donovan of Boston; great-granddaughter, Lilly DiMarco who always made the “Funny Old Man” smile, and several nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank these very caring physicians and their staffs whose excellent care added so many years to Joe’s life: Dr. Michael Damiano, Dr. Santo DiFino, Dr. Michael Flintrop, Dr. Ray Forbes, Dr. Richard Hehir, Dr. Matthew O’Hern, Dr. Pawan Rao, Dr. Elan Salzhauer, Dr. Sebastian Thomas, Dr. James Traver, Dr. Robert Todd and Dr. Syed Zaman. Special gratitude and appreciation goes out to the compassionate, caring, and professional staffs of Francis House, Home Aides of Central New York, Hospice of Central New York and VNA Homecare. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 10, 2017 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME and 11:00 AM at the Franciscan Church of the Assumption where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Burial will follow in Assumption Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday, January 9, 2017 at the funeral home, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Francis House, 108 Michael's Ave., Syracuse, NY 13208.

Joseph J. Jackson

November 4, 1928 - January 6, 2017