ROCKLAND — Bernard L. Jackson Sr., 97, died the way he lived - with grace and dignity - on March 10, 2017, surrounded by his loving children, at his home.

Born in East Searsmont on Jan. 30, 1920, he was the son of George L. and Margie J. Poland Jackson. He was educated in local schools.

On Sept. 27, 1941, Bernard married the love of his life, Doris Weymouth, in Rockland. They made their home there together until 1942, when Bernard was called into duty with the U.S. Army during World War II. With his wife expecting their first child, he left, serving honorably in the Pacific Theater, before being discharged in 1945. He returned home to his beloved bride and then 2-year-old son, Bernard Jr. Once home, Bernard settled into daily life, working hard to provide for his growing family. Over the years they welcomed two more children, a daughter, Carol, and a son, Stephen.

Bernard had been a truck driver during his time in the Army, and continued this job, hauling limerock for George Scott. Always handy and mechanically inclined, Bernard worked as service manager for the former Fireproof Garage. He retired in 1989 after 33 years as a mechanic with Payson Farm Equipment in Union. Over the years he attended and completed several mechanic courses and schools to help advance his career. Even after retiring Bernard took on a second career, working for many years with Warren T. Perry in his electrician business. Together they worked side by side and formed a wonderful friendship.

When not busy at work, Bernard used his talents and skills helping the many organizations he was a part of. He gave countless hours to Littlefield Memorial Baptist Church, serving on the Board of Trustees, as an usher, driving the church bus and working on improvement projects whenever he was able. He was a member of the Knox Lodge of Masons, No. 189, was a life member of the Knox County Fish and Game Association, the Hatchet Mountain Snow Riders and Good Sam Club.

He was an avid outdoorsman, and spent many hours brook fishing and trolling on Jo-Mary Lake. He also enjoyed vacations each year with his son, Stephen, at Rangley Lakes. He was an accomplished angler who proudly caught more than 33 trout weighing in at over two pounds each during the summer of 1966. His family remembers his wife would cook and portion out the fish into “TV dinners” and they would eat them all season long. He even boasted a five-pound salmon and an 11.75- pound trout, both in one morning on Alford Lake, and later a 20-pound togue on Jo-Mary Lake. During the winter months, along with ice fishing, Bernard and Doris enjoyed snowmobiling with her sister and brother-in-law, Janet and Lawrence Pease. They would venture out on their Scorpion sleds, find a nice picnic spot, cook hotdogs over an open fire and then head home. Many good times were had and memories made during those trips.

At home, Bernard kept and cultivated bountiful vegetable gardens. His children remember sitting on the back step snapping peas, and always having fresh veggies to eat. Every year he enjoyed going strawberry picking with his daughter, Carol. They also enjoyed making a double batch of relish each year. Bernard was also a successful and competitive hunter, bagging a buck that field dressed at 235 pounds. When his son bagged a 10-point buck, Bernard said, with a twinkle in his eye, “Not bad, but not as big as mine.”

Even with all his hunting and fishing accomplishments, Bernard's greatest joy in life was his family. They were his pride and joy. He worked tirelessly to ensure they had a good life, and were able to go to college. He taught them the lessons of life with his strength, love and quiet reserve. He made each one of his children feel special and loved, and his legacy continued as three new generations joined the Jackson family. They all have wonderful memories of their dad, and all three children remarked that they felt they had the best father in the world. He will be sorely missed by all who loved him.

Predeceased by his wife, Doris Weymouth Jackson; and his siblings, Evelyn, Vivian, Irvin, Roland, Marguerite, Donald and Carroll; Bernard is survived by his children, Bernard Jackson Jr. and his wife, Patricia, of Liberty, Carol Jowdry and her husband, David, of Augusta, and Stephen Jackson and his wife, Betsy, of New Gloucester; a brother, Roger Jackson of Montville; his grandchildren, Timothy Jackson and his wife, Sarah, Cynthia Soule and her husband, Derek, Laura Berthiaume and her husband, Richard, Katherine Jowdry, Michael Jowdry and his wife, Andrea, Melissa Weisheit and her husband, John, Jared Jackson, and Shannon Jackson and his wife, Elen; 17 great-grandchildren, Nathaniel, Ethan, Emily, Aubrey, Calvin, Riley, Siara, Brittany, Khyrstan, Kyliegh, Dakota, Harper, Rowan, Baili, Maya, Kamden and Katiana; and four great-great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Emma, Avery and Bryson. He was especially close to his sister-in-law and her husband, Janet and Lawrence Pease; and special friends, Beverly Worthington, Warren and Diane Perry, Joyce and Irving Wooster, Ruth Lowe and Vera Mathieson.

Family and friends are invited to visit Thursday, March 16, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A celebration of life will be held Friday, March 17, at 2 p.m. at Littlefield Memorial Baptist Church, 1 Waldo Ave. in Rockland. The Revs. Dr. Linwood Welch and Mark Adolphsen will officiate. Private interment will be held in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Heart Association, 51 U.S. Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074.