What’s the definition of a life well-lived? By any measure, Roger Jackson had that. The St. Albert resident died suddenly due to an accident in late October just shy of his 75th birthday, leaving a shocked community of family, friends and colleagues to mourn his loss. And while impressive points on a resume are worth noting when remembering the lifelong Albertan, the pervading thoughts from those who knew him best paint the picture of a beloved father and friend; a man with a big laugh, big heart and generous spirit, who lived with passion and joy; always willing to help, to lead and to shine a spotlight on those around him.
St. Albert Gazette readers will remember Jackson as a regular columnist until his passing, but the accomplished Albertan had an achievement-filled resume, from serving as Deputy Minister of the Department of Economic Development (1997-99) and as Utilities Consumer Advocate for Government Services in Alberta, (1999 to 2005), to being a passionate volunteer with local organizations including the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce and St. Albert Community Foundation. Work highlights range from creating a provincial tourism marketing strategy to creating and managing the small business incubator support program with local chambers of commerce.
Jackson leaves behind daughters Rebecca (a Calgary-based veterinarian) and Sarah (an elementary school teacher living in Saskatchewan), ex-wife Patricia Albers, three sisters, extended family and life-long friends, many who grew up with him in Windsor Park, Edmonton.
Rebecca says losing her dad, or ‘Pops’ as the girls called him, is a massive shock. “It’s incredibly difficult for us, his daughters and close friends. He was larger than life in so many ways,” she said, recalling a childhood with a ‘loving, big kid’ of a dad, one who had a candy closet and would crawl around on the floor with his own children, or as surrogate dad to neighbourhood kids and friends. “We’ve always known we were so lucky to have our dad. He took joy from everything. When I have joy, I know it’s him.”
“Dad was great at relationship-building too; he knew how to lead people,” Rebecca added. “I remember him saying, ‘I’m never the smartest person in the room. Leading is simple: allow people to do their good work, and give credit to others when things go well. But when things go wrong, take the blame yourself.”
Jackson had plenty of practice honing that skill, from his work in government to a decade as Executive Director of Alberta Used Oil. Colleagues remember his leadership qualities along with a seasoned wit, self-deprecating humour and plenty of laughter. Lynda Moffat, former president of the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce, says Jackson’s contributions to the city (especially in the area of small business) were invaluable.
“Roger brought knowledge and passion to all his volunteer work. He was a big part of our city’s economic development advisory committee,” said Moffat. “He had a wonderful manner and sense of humour; a real shining star for St. Albert. We’d continue to meet for breakfast on occasion, and whenever I needed help over the years, I knew I could ask him, ‘what do you think about this?’ I can’t say enough about what a special person Roger was; a true one-of-a-kind.”
Jackson was involved in numerous community initiatives in past decades, including as a board member with St. Albert’s Youville Home, the Association for Community Living in Edmonton, and as Chairman/Board member for the Association for People with Special Needs in Peace River and District. Volunteering with Jackson on the St. Albert Community Foundation, (Jackson’s tenure ran from 2006-2021), foundation president Doug Campbell describes his colleague as, “a joy–generous, accurate, reliable, committed–a great communicator who was always willing and able to do whatever was asked of him. Like so many, I feel the loss of a great friend. He was conservative, but he had a balanced approach and could work with anyone,” Campbell said.
Rebecca says her dad’s practical and balanced perspective served him well as a newspaper columnist too, something he came to do in retirement. Though his education at the University of Alberta was in economics and history (followed by graduate studies in political science at York University in Toronto), Jackson sometimes explored new ideas for his writings in the Gazette. Rebecca remembers one occasion where her dad wrote a column after she and he traded ideas about what drives human function.
“Dad said it was the economy, but I said it was the physical resources–humans–that are needed. Even though he had a big soft heart at the end of the day, he cared passionately about a lot of things–art, music,politics, history. Sometimes he was too passionate and we’d get into a debate. In this instance, he saw the light; could see his daughter’s point of view. I woke up the next day to see his next column titled, ‘The Education of Pops’.
“Ultimately, relationships were so important to him,” she said, pointing to Jackson’s love of animals and love of travel too. His journeys included time to Europe, Japan, China, Africa and even time spent working on a kibbutz in Israel. “I definitely got my love of animals and travel from dad. My sister got his quick wit and dry sense of humour. I always felt I had his undying love and support in everything I’ve ever done.”
Neighbours Roland and Dolores Schech recently dedicated an hour of choral music on CKUA to Jackson, knowing his love for the station and that type of music. (Though Rebecca says his taste ranged from jazz to Springsteen, too). “Roger was the type of neighbour everyone should be so lucky to have. He was always up for a chat–always had a smile and a wave,” Dolores wrote to the station’s Raising Voices program, describing how Jackson would pick up mail when the couple was away on vacation or help out in any way possible. “Roger would want to be remembered with joyfulness.”
“I know dad had a wonderful life,” said Rebecca. “In time, we’ll be able to focus on that. But he’ll forever be missed.”
Read Roger Jackson’s obituary at parkmemorial.com. That website will have further news about a memorial in the new year.
