Richard Jackson
Former City of Peekskill mayor Richard E. Jackson Jr., 80, died on Sunday, August 10, 2025 just weeks after his 80th birthday. Born on July 18, 1945, and raised in Peekskill, he was the son of the late Reverends Richard and Willma McKenzie Jackson.
A lifelong educator, Richard made mathematics attainable. His humor, brilliance, and zest for life turned learning into joy. Decades later, former students still sought him out to say his class inspired their confidence and love of math.
He brought that same gift for connection to public service. From the classroom to City Hall and beyond, Richard made each person feel seen and worked tirelessly to strengthen his community.
Richard was appointed Mayor of Peekskill in December 1984, the first African-American to be appointed to the position in the city. He was appointed when then Mayor George Pataki became a New York state Assemblyman. Winning subsequent elections, he served as mayor until 1991 and later was appointed by Pataki who was governor, as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. He held that post from 1995 to 2000.
Faith was the cornerstone of Richard’s life. A devoted Christian, he lived his beliefs through action, helping to transform the churches he served, guiding Bible studies, and offering quiet counsel. And he always brought coffee and donuts. His words reflected a steady, abiding faith and a conviction in the power of love and community. Above all, he loved God and his family.
Richard graduated from the University of Bridgeport and earned a Master’s Degree from Fordham University. Jackson married the love of his life, Ruth, a music teacher and gifted pianist, and had four children. The Jacksons were married for almost 54 years before Ruth’s death in June 2023.
The news of Richard Jackson’s death was met with an outpouring of condolences and support from the local community and beyond.
One of those individuals is former New York Gov. George Pataki, who was friends with Jackson for more than 70 years. Jackson served as City of Peekskill deputy mayor under Pataki and later joined the former Gov. Pataki’s cabinet as New York State’s Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.
“I don’t know a better person,” Pataki told the Peekskill Herald. “He was just kind and considerate to everybody. He was beloved by everyone. Whether as a mayor or as a commissioner, he was just a wonderful person who represented really the best in humanity, a commitment to public service and to people, and yet doing it in a way that was simply about helping others, not about him.”
Pataki recalled being with Jackson only six weeks ago and reflecting on everything from elementary school to being together in Albany. The two did everything together, from being co-captains of Peekskill High School’s cross country team to being mayor and deputy mayor together.
Vinnie Vesce, a former City of Peekskill mayor and councilman between 1982 and 1994, reflected on serving alongside Jackson and seeing developments flourish in the city thanks to Jackson. He told the Herald one of the best things that happened to him in getting involved in politics was getting to know Jackson on an intimate level.
“He was one of the nicest individuals, nicest persons I’ve ever met in any part of my life,” Vesce said. “Whether it was political, professional, or just meeting people along the way, he was just a wonderful guy. He was smart as hell, he had a great sense of what was the right thing to do.”
Jackson is also being remembered for his impact on the Peekskill St. Patrick’s Parade. Jackson supported a $500 grant to help jump-start the parade approved by the Common Council.
Joe Brady, a Peekskill councilman who served in 1996 to 2000, recalled approaching Jackson and the council with Dan Caffrey who owned the Super Runner store on N. Division Street, in 1989 with their idea for the city to host a St. Patrick’s parade.
“It became very clear that once you met Richard Jackson, you had a friend, an immediate friend,” Brady told the Herald. “And he, unlike so many other people, believed in inclusivity and he backed the St. Patrick’s parade to no end.”
Although Jackson eventually left Peekskill for Albany, Brady said that Jackson was always available for a phone call for advice when Brady was a newly elected councilman in 1996.
“He’s just a sensational guy,” Brady said. “Never anything bad, very encouraging for people who want to do things, especially for the betterment of our city. He was just a great guy. Anytime you saw Richie, you were with a friend who would do anything to help anybody, anytime.”
He is survived by his four children, Tara (William) Magaw, Alice (Frank Jolley) Jackson-Jolley, Abigail (Dominick Martin) Jackson, and William (Chris) Jackson; six grandchildren; his sister, Janet Bowles; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m., on Saturday, August 16, at Perry-Komdat Funeral Chapel, 2691 NY-43, Glass Lake, Averill Park, N.Y. A memorial service will be celebrated at 1 p.m., on Sunday, August 17, at the Sand Lake Baptist Church, 2960 NY-43, Averill Park, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Snyder Lake Community Church, 6 Mountainview Terrace, Rensselaer, N.Y.
(Sourced from Albany Times Union and Peekskill St. Patrick’s Parade Committee program)
