It is with great sadness that we note the death of  David Windsor Jackson, 83, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, life-long conservationist, life member of the Sierra Club and one of the longest serving volunteers with Sierra Club Connecticut. Raised in Winchester, Virginia, a graduate of  Virginia Tech with a career spent at Hamilton Standard, he and Joyce, his wife of 58 years, lived and raised their family primarily in West Hartford. He was an avid runner, skier, indoor long distance swimmer and devoted walker of his cherished dogs.  David also earned his Master's Degree and developed a love of history, music and opera. Dave loved all things outdoors, especially canoeing, hiking, and camping.

 

With Joyce and several others, Dave helped restart the Greater Hartford Group in 1988 and served as a member of the Executive Committee ever since. Dave was totally reliable and could always be counted on to arrive early and pitch-in at Hartford monthly meetings. He and Joyce were welcoming hosts of Executive Committee meetings at their West Hartford residence for many years. After retirement, he became more involved in Connecticut Chapter activities: a member of the Connecticut Chapter Executive Committee, an active member of the energy committee as well as lobbying on environmental issues at the Capitol. Dave also led local canoe trips and hikes, notably  annual spring wildflower walks for the club. On his summer vacations, he participated in many National Sierra Club's service projects around the country. 

 

David's great respect and concern for nature and Mother Earth began with an early Boy Scout trip to the Algonquin Provincial Park, a wilderness canoeing mecca in Ontario, Canada. In later life Dave loved to return there, sharing lengthy canoe-camping trips with family and friends.  His granddaughters say, in a canoe, out on the water, camping or hiking, he was his best self.  

 

Those of us in Sierra Club who knew Dave will remember a kind man with a great laugh, a twinkle in his eye and amazing amounts of energy. He always had a smile for everyone and a story to share, and always a good laugh.

 

He was a great man who will be missed by all.  

 

Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Joyce and the rest of his family.

 

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make a donation in his name to your favorite charitable organization.

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Rich Stanley