South Windsor Rotarian Jackson 'Will Be Missed'

Ken Jackson was a South Windsor Rotarian to the end.

Indeed, Jackson, who died at age 84 on June 21, was planning with his friends to attend the annual changing-of-the-guard Rotary dinner held on Wednesday.

His decision to attend was unremarkable to his friends, seeing as Jackson was a charter member of the South Windsor Rotary and had perfect attendance for 21 years until he intentionally ended the streak.

“You could depend on him,” fellow Rotarian Gen. Jim Throwe said in a telephone interview. “He was right as rain.”

Jackson was South Windsor Rotary’s third president, serving from 1962-63 and was a Paul Harris Fellow twice.

And, according to his friends, Jackson was a good man above all else.

“There was nothing he wouldn’t do for you,” Ed Havens said in a telephone interview Monday. “He was a great man and a great individual. I am proud to have called him a neighbor.

Throwe said that if someone was sick or injured, Jackson would be the one to ensure that a get-well basket was sent.

Ken Jackson was an entrepreneur, opening Jackson’s Market, a meat and grocery store, in South Windsor on Oakland Road.

“It was famous for its quality meat products,” Throwe said.

Jackson also owned a liquor store on Route 5 for several years before he sold it.

Most recently, Jackson worked for Franklin Distributors until his passing.

“He was just intent on working,” Throwe said. “He didn’t want to retire. It was a part-time job, but it kept him busy.”

In addition to South Windsor Rotary, he was an active participant with the Republican Town Committee.

Jackson was a member of the coffee klatch comprising town elders that now gathers at Panera bread.

“He was a real good man,” Throwe said. “He was a family man all the way. He had two daughters and he loved his grandchildren. His wife, Barbara, went everywhere he went: trips, cruises and rotary conferences.”

Jackson grew up in Manchester, playing high school football and basketball. He joined the Navy at the end of World War II, serving on a sub base in Groton.

“He grew up playing South Windsor,” Throwe said. “He loved sports and he loved his close-knit group of friends that he had. He had a wry brand of humor.

“He will be missed. We’ll miss him.”

There will be  calling hours at Holmes Funeral Home, 400 Main St., Manchester Thursday, June 27 from 9:30 - 11 a.m. There will be a service at 11 a.m. at the Holmes Funeral home and internment at East Cemetery at 240 E. Center St., Manchester