Late Newport Firefighter's Career Began with a Matchbox Fire Truck

David “DJ” Jackson’s firefighting career started with a Matchbox fire engine when he was boy.

A firefighter at Uncle Bob’s Firehouse in Union, N.J., gave it to him on a visit. He kept that toy engine for the rest of his life and when he finally became a real-life Newport firefighter in 1997, he started buying Matchbox fire engines.

In 2013, shortly after his retirement, he told the story in an email to his former colleagues at the Newport Fire Department. He attached a scanned photo of himself leaning against the front of an Newport engine next to a little boy wearing a plastic fire hat, red jacket, red boots and a still-in-the-box Matchbox fire engine in his hand.

“Just as was done for him, he gave them to kids who came by the station for a tour,” the Newport Fire Department said in a tribute on its Facebook page on Thursday.

Members of the department this week are reflecting on the life of their former colleague after his unexpected death on Wednesday.

He was 54.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through this very difficult time. His unexpected passing has occurred far too early and caught us all by surprise,” the department said in a statement.

DJ was a dedicated member of the Newport Fire Department throughout his whole career and always represented it proudly. He genuinely loved being a Newport Firefighter and serving the residents of Newport in any way that he could. During his tenure he continually sought out opportunities for further education in Firefighting & Emergency Medical Services so that he could provide best possible assistance to the public in the performance of his duties. He was a founding member of our Honor Guard, represented the department as an Advocate for the Elderly and took advantage of any chance he could to deliver Community Service outside his normal duties

Jackson was born in Newport and was the son of the late Paul jackson and Lilliam Marie (DeCoster) Jackson.

He retired in May 2013 and along with being a firefighter, he was a skilled photographer.

According to his obituary, he loved to shoot during various sporting events such as golfing and rugby games. He also had an eye for historical architectural scenes. Recently he began shooting the Newport Fire Department in action at various locations. David also enjoyed boating on Narragansett Bay and was a huge fan of the Red Sox’s, the Bruins and the Washington Redskins.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2015, from 4-7pm in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2015, at 10:30a.m., in the Memorial Funeral Home.

Burial will follow in Trinity Cemetery, East Main Road, Portsmouth.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Newport Rescue Wagon Fund, 21 W. Marlborough Street, Newport, RI 02840.