Ralph Jackson Remembered for Service

Remembered as someone who was always selflessly working behind the scenes to help others, Medford resident died while doing what he loved, according to his mother Donna Jackson.

"He didn't do spectacular things, he just helped people," Donna said of her son, who passed away suddenly on Nov. 20, less than two weeks after his 21st birthday. Ralph, a Life Member of Boy Scout Troop 40, had been assisting with renovations at Suffolk's Boy Scout service center in Medford when he collapsed. Staff members began CPR immediately and called 911, but Ralph never regained consciousness, according to his mother.

Working with the Boy Scouts was one of Ralph's many loves, Donna said, adding that as a teenager he would ride his bike from Medford to the Baiting Hollow Scout Camp. As an adult, Ralph became a staff member at the camp, where he spent countless hours assisting with everything from odd jobs to scouting events.

However, Ralph's generosity did not stop with the Boy Scouts. Dr. Randy Rusielewicz, principal of , called Ralph a "wonderful kid" who was very involved with the school, even after his graduation in 2007.

"He was always that behind-the-scenes person," Rusielewicz said, recalling that Ralph had been involved with everything from the school's theater performances and "Battle of the Bands" setup to working on floats for this year's homecoming parade.

The high school is in the preliminary stages of setting up a memorial scholarship in Ralph's honor, according to Rusielewicz.

Ralph's mother described him as a "jack of all trades" who enjoyed working with his hands and fixing everything from cars to plumbing. Ralph also loved music and was a DJ at his friends' parties as well as at several community events.

"He was such a loving kid, and so well-known; we always thought he was going to be the mayor," Donna said.

One initiative the Patchogue-Medford community remembers Ralph for most was his volunteer efforts each year at the Relay for Life event.

Beth Campbell Corpac, one of the Patchogue-Medford Relay for Life committee members, posted the following about Ralph on his memorial Facebook page: "It always amazed me how dedicated he was. Whatever the situation, the problem, Ralph was able to solve it. We had the honor of having him [be] a part of our Pat-Med Relay committee team from the beginning - five years ago. Ralph was our anchor and we [truly] relied on his expertise."

Another friend, Cory, wrote: "[M]issing you so much right now buddy. Look at all the people's lives that you made a difference in. [You're] the only person I knew that lived their live with purpose. I keep looking back on all the memories that we've made in the past five years and I keep asking myself 'Why Ralph?' But I guess God really does only take the best."

The Pat-Med Relay for Life Committee has set up a team in Ralph's memory according to Corpac, who said they will be collecting donations for the American Cancer Society, "an organization he dedicated much of his time to." To make a donation in Ralph's memory, visit www.relayforlife.org/patchoguemedfordny.

More than 1,500 people came out to pay their final respects to Ralph between Nov. 22 and 23, according to his mother, who said she was amazed at the many lives her son touched. She also was surprised to hear the stories of those who came out to honor Ralph.

"One boy came up to me at the wake and told me how Ralph saw him on the side of the road, stuck, and pulled over to help him," Donna explained. "That's the kind of kid he was. He always thought of everyone else, never himself."

Ralph is survived by his mother Donna, his father Robert and his brother Alex, a 10th-grade student at Patchogue-Medford High School.

"He was always looking out for his brother, he didn't want him to get into trouble," Donna noted, adding that Alex is one merit badge away from becoming an Eagle Scout, continuing in his brother's footsteps.

Although Ralph was not sure what path he wanted to take after high school, and had just started a new job as a solderer one month prior to his passing, his mother noted that he would spend most of his time volunteering or going out of his way for his friends.

"He never knew what he wanted to do, he'd just go around helping people," Donna said. "I guess that was his job."