John E. Jackson John E. "Jack" Jackson, of Framingham Massachusetts died from complications associated with asbestos exposure on Saturday February 19, at Kindred Hospital in Natick Massachusetts. John was born in Boyd Wisconsin on September 9, 1924, the son of Anna and Elmer Jackson. He was the eldest of five brothers with whom he worked on his parent's dairy farm in northern Wisconsin. At a very young age he developed a passion for flying. While in high school he convinced a barnstormer to teach him to fly, in exchange for selling tickets for plane rides to the general public. After graduating from Boyd high school in 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corp with the hope of becoming a pilot. He was inducted as a cadet in October of 1942. After passing his initial battery of tests he progressed to primary and then to advanced pilot training. He received his silver wings in April of 1944 at Freeman Field in Seymour, Indiana. He then was commissioned as part of the Eighth Air Force and was stationed at Knettishall airfield in Thetford, England. He flew 35 missions as a B-17 pilot, most of the missions were flown on a plane that he named "Forever Amber". He took part in many historic missions in the spring of 1945 such as the bombing of Dresden and Berlin. During a mission to Royon, France his plane caught fire. He made the orders to bail out and after verifying that all crew members had, he bailed out through the bomb bay. The plane exploded moments later. When he and his crew completed their 35 missions he was told he was the youngest B-17 pilot to complete all 35 missions, he was 20 years old. He never forgot the innocent victims of war, such as those who lived in Germany during World War II. John had a wonderful sense of humor, which was exhibited when he buzzed his family farm while on leave with a B-24 "Liberator". His family was not aware that he was on leave and were quite surprised when he "dropped in" for a visit. He was last stationed in Newfoundland, Canada. After being honorably discharged as a Captain he moved to St. Johnsbury Vermont. While living there he met his wife Phyllis to whom he was happily married for 50 years. They initially lived in Sugar Hill, New Hampshire. At that time he worked for Perini Corporation, which was the main contractor for the construction of the Moore dam in Littleton, New Hampshire. After the job was completed he moved with his family to Framingham Massachusetts. He worked for Perini Corporation for 35 years. During his years as a purchaser and parts manager for the heavy equipment division, he worked in the shop in Framingham, the Seabrook nuclear power plant, and the mill. He retired in 1989. He was a wonderful dancer and an avid reader. He enjoyed listening to music, discussing politics, learning history and poetry, and watching sports. He was a gifted joke and story-teller. John was beloved by all who knew him well. He was a well-respected coworker and boss, a loyal friend, a good neighbor, a loving husband and father, and a magnificent grandfather. His greatest love was his family. He adored his grandchildren and they adored him. He lived with his family in Framingham until the time of his death. He was predeceased by his loving wife Phyllis in 2002. He was the brother of the late Jerry, Gene, Raymond, and Billy Jackson. He is survived by his son David Jackson and his close friend Marlene Hutchins, of Framingham. He also leaves his daughter Judith Jackson and her husband Arthur Olins, as well as their sons John and Caleb "Cal" Olins, from Framingham. He will be deeply missed by relatives and friends in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. The family would like to thank the numerous healthcare workers who have been so kind and loving to John throughout the years. The internment was at the National Cemetery in Bourne Massachusetts on Friday February 25, 2011. He received military honors. A memorial mass celebrating his life will be held at St. George church, 74 School St, in Framingham, on Saturday March 5, 2011 at 11:00 AM, all are welcome to attend. The funeral arrangements have been handled by Faggas Funeral Home in Watertown ,Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers donations in his name should be made to Disabled Veterans Memorial Program, P.O.Box 14301, Cincinatti, Ohio 45250-0301