Philip M. Jackson

Waltham - Philip Jackson's favorite Scottish poet Robert Burns said, "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men Gang aft a-gley, An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain For promis'd joy." . . . John Steinbeck's translation: "The best laid plans of mice and men… often go awry." It was the basis of a famous book about moving from place to place in search of opportunity.

Phil was willing to search for opportunity but proved those plans didn't always go awry.

English born, Scottish raised, and Irish at heart, he created a home for his family in the United States and was known to his friends here as a Minute Man.

Philip M. Jackson, of Waltham, died on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Maristhill Nursing Home in Waltham. He was 77.

Phil was born in Wembley, England on July 10, 1941, where World War II was already well underway. A son of Scottish natives, the late Michael and Catherine (McSheen) Jackson, the family soon returned to Motherwell, Scotland where Phil was raised. It was at a local dance in Motherwell where he met the love of his life, Janet Malcom. They'd grown up just a few miles from each other but wouldn't cross paths until fate brought them together. They were married in March of 1964.

The young couple started their family in Scotland where Carol and Philip were born and in 1967 they immigrated to the United States settling in Waltham. Michael and Kate were born in America.

Phil was well-known for his appetite for life, family, food, friends and sport. He loved family trips to Bermuda and The Bahamas with his wife, four children and seven grandchildren. Whether it was his sausage-rolls and soda-bread, golfing locally at Pine Meadows, trips to Myrtle Beach and St. Andrews Links, or the world-renowned dart league he co-founded, Phil always wanted to hit the bullseye.

And according to the Minute Men Dart League, he did: "In addition to being among the very best players of his generation, he has made numerous contributions to the league throughout his career as ambassador of the sport and helped lay the foundation that made the MMDL the world-renowned and respected organization that it is today." Phil was a founding member of the Minute Man Dart League in 1974 and was inducted into the National Darts Hall of Fame in 2015. Phil also worked for many years as a machinist at Waltham Screw Company and at Pulpdent Corporation in Watertown.

He leaves his wife Janet A. (Malcolm) Jackson; his children, Carol A. Spezzano (Kevin) of Medway, Philip P. Jackson (Diana) of Stratham, New Hampshire, Michael J. Jackson (Jessica) of Nashua, New Hampshire and Kate E. Joliat (Michael) of Waltham; his grandchildren, Cameron and Alexandra Spezzano, Natalie and Samantha Jackson, Emma and Julia Jackson and Mavis Joliat; his brother and sister, John Jackson (Annabelle) and Elizabeth McCardie, both of Motherwell, Scotland and many nieces and nephews.

Phil was also a brother of the late Michael Jackson.

Family and friends will honor and remember Philip's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Wednesday, December 12th from 4 to 7 p.m. followed by his funeral service at 7 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452.