Obituary for John Bruce Jackson
February 8, 1950 - May 14, 2022
John Bruce Jackson, 72, passed away at David Simpson Hospice House in Cleveland, after a three-year struggle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren Jackson and Sarah Goodwin Jackson formerly of Lyndhurst.
John is survived by his wife of 35 years, Cassandra Wolfe; brother, Peter Jackson (Nanci McGregor) of Mentor; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Kent Cipollo of St. Louis; and his four nieces and nephews, Kelli Daniel (Josh), Christopher Jackson (Michal), Michael Cipollo (Robyn) and Daniel Cipollo (Caitlin). His champion Airedale Terrier, Dixie Anna Dale will be at a loss without him as well.
John was born in East Cleveland, and spent most of his childhood in Lyndhurst, on Westbourne Rd. It was there he met, Cassie, his future wife, at Southlyn School in sixth grade. He graduated from Brush High School in 1968, and went on to attend and graduate from Bowling Green University with a major in Biology and minor in Geology.
After graduation John began as a registered Sanitarian for the Cuyahoga County Health Department. After more than 10 years with the health department he decided on a change from work in public health to a career in the private sector joining Cleveland Chemical Pest Control. John began as a technician, promoted to branch manager, and in 1995, accepted the role as President of the company. He retired 2015. John was active in several pest control organizations serving on the board of directors of the Ohio Pest Control Association and as President of the Ohio Mosquito Control Association.
John was a member at several Presbyterian Churches, where he served in leadership roles including that of Ruling Elder. At Noble Road Church, Cleveland Hts., John was baptized, and where he and Cassie were married on December 20, 1986. He was also a member of Hudson, Northfield, and Church of the Western Reserve Presbyterian Churches.
John enjoyed playing tennis, was an avid golfer and cross-country skier. He loved vegetable gardening and was a master at growing cherry tomatoes. While still living in Ohio, John trained with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park becoming a volunteer Naturalist. He conducted watershed research and on weekends stood in the national park with a telescope near the Eagle habitat helping families see baby eaglets up close. John volunteered in Akron with Project Learn, assisting adults with their reading skills and at Haven for Rest homeless shelter working in the men’s division.
In 2015, John and Cassie took a leap of faith and moved south to Greenville, S.C., where John joined the sales department of Arrow Exterminating head quartered in Atlanta. John retired again in 2018. Missing the seasonal changes and discovering health issues, in 2020 John and Cassie made the decision to return to Cleveland living for a short time in Peninsula, before moving to Ohio Living Breckenridge Village in July 2021. Since retiring, John and Cassie have gone to the dogs…dog shows that is, shepherding their Airedale Terrier, around to dog shows. Dixie is the couple’s pride and joy.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Hospice of Western Reserve Mentor, Church of the Western Reserve- John Jackson Memorial Fund, and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Education Program- directed to the Certified Volunteer Nationalist Program.
The Church of the Western Reserve, 30500 Fairmount Blvd., Pepper Pike, will host a visitation for the family from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 3. The Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 4, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Sandy Seaton Todd. A reception will follow immediately after in the Fellowship Hall.
Cassie has asked that John’s friends, also in lieu of flowers, join her in creating a potluck dessert bar at the reception. Celebrating John’s “Love of Sweets,” bring one of John’s favorite “before bedtime snacks.” Upon arriving at the visitation or service please give your “treat” to the church greeters.
Arrangements are entrusted to McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Homes in Willoughby and Mentor.
To leave condolences for the family, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.
John Bruce Jackson, 72, passed away at David Simpson Hospice House in Cleveland, after a three-year struggle with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Warren Jackson and Sarah Goodwin Jackson formerly of Lyndhurst.
John is survived by his wife of 35 years, Cassandra Wolfe; brother, Peter Jackson (Nanci McGregor) of Mentor; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Kent Cipollo of St. Louis; and his four nieces and nephews, Kelli Daniel (Josh), Christopher Jackson (Michal), Michael Cipollo (Robyn) and Daniel Cipollo (Caitlin). His champion Airedale Terrier, Dixie Anna Dale will be at a loss without him as well.
John was born in East Cleveland, and spent most of his childhood in Lyndhurst, on Westbourne Rd. It was there he met, Cassie, his future wife, at Southlyn School in sixth grade. He graduated from Brush High School in 1968, and went on to attend and graduate from Bowling Green University with a major in Biology and minor in Geology.
After graduation John began as a registered Sanitarian for the Cuyahoga County Health Department. After more than 10 years with the health department he decided on a change from work in public health to a career in the private sector joining Cleveland Chemical Pest Control. John began as a technician, promoted to branch manager, and in 1995, accepted the role as President of the company. He retired 2015. John was active in several pest control organizations serving on the board of directors of the Ohio Pest Control Association and as President of the Ohio Mosquito Control Association.
John was a member at several Presbyterian Churches, where he served in leadership roles including that of Ruling Elder. At Noble Road Church, Cleveland Hts., John was baptized, and where he and Cassie were married on December 20, 1986. He was also a member of Hudson, Northfield, and Church of the Western Reserve Presbyterian Churches.
John enjoyed playing tennis, was an avid golfer and cross-country skier. He loved vegetable gardening and was a master at growing cherry tomatoes. While still living in Ohio, John trained with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park becoming a volunteer Naturalist. He conducted watershed research and on weekends stood in the national park with a telescope near the Eagle habitat helping families see baby eaglets up close. John volunteered in Akron with Project Learn, assisting adults with their reading skills and at Haven for Rest homeless shelter working in the men’s division.
In 2015, John and Cassie took a leap of faith and moved south to Greenville, S.C., where John joined the sales department of Arrow Exterminating head quartered in Atlanta. John retired again in 2018. Missing the seasonal changes and discovering health issues, in 2020 John and Cassie made the decision to return to Cleveland living for a short time in Peninsula, before moving to Ohio Living Breckenridge Village in July 2021. Since retiring, John and Cassie have gone to the dogs…dog shows that is, shepherding their Airedale Terrier, around to dog shows. Dixie is the couple’s pride and joy.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Hospice of Western Reserve Mentor, Church of the Western Reserve- John Jackson Memorial Fund, and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Education Program- directed to the Certified Volunteer Nationalist Program.
The Church of the Western Reserve, 30500 Fairmount Blvd., Pepper Pike, will host a visitation for the family from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 3. The Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 4, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Sandy Seaton Todd. A reception will follow immediately after in the Fellowship Hall.
Cassie has asked that John’s friends, also in lieu of flowers, join her in creating a potluck dessert bar at the reception. Celebrating John’s “Love of Sweets,” bring one of John’s favorite “before bedtime snacks.” Upon arriving at the visitation or service please give your “treat” to the church greeters.
Arrangements are entrusted to McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Homes in Willoughby and Mentor.
To leave condolences for the family, visit www.MCVfuneralhomes.com.