Philip Joseph Jackman

On October 8, 2024, Philip Joseph Jackman passed away peacefully surrounded by family. He was the devoted husband of 62 years of Tina Grzyb Jackman, the loving father of Sheila Reuling and husband Eric of Forest Hill, MD, Susan Jackman and husband Herb Leary of Pacific Palisades, CA, and Michele Anthony and partner David Foley of Warrenton, VA. The beloved grandfather of Emily Mosher and husband Giles, Andrew Reuling, Katie Anthony and husband Alex Johnson, Max Anthony, and Jillian Leary, and dear great grandfather of Isaac Johnson.

Born on March 16, 1937, in Whitinsville, Massachusetts, Phil was the son of the late Michael Jackman and the late Dianne Lemoine Jackman. He was predeceased by his brothers Frank Jackman, Bill Jackman, and Michael Jackman, and by his brother-in-law Dick Grzyb and sister-in-law Priscilla Grzyb. He is survived by his sisters Dianne Christine and Laura Zibell, brother-in-law Frank Grzyb, and sisters-in-law Ginny Grzyb, Jane Jackman, and Sigrid Jackman, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A graduate of Providence College, Phil began his journalism career covering the Boston Red Sox for the Worcester Telegram. In 1965, he moved his young family to Baltimore to cover the Orioles for The Evening Sun. He later covered the Washington Capitals and became a sports columnist for The Sun’s former late edition newspaper.

Phil enjoyed lending his commentary to all sports and in all media – newspaper, radio, and TV – from the spectacular heavyweight boxing championships of the 1970’s to the non-marquee Olympic sports which involved long predawn bus rides but afforded the opportunity to joke with other journalists and feature lesser-known athletes from all over the world.

He took great pride in contributing a chapter to the book The 1984 Olympic Games while covering the U.S. Men’s Gymnastics Gold Medal Team victory.

Phil was recognized by his peers in the National Sportswriters & Sportscasters Association as the Best Sportswriter in Maryland 15 times.

Besides his vast knowledge of sports, Phil will be remembered for his incredible wit and devotion to his own family, his adopted families at the former Perring Racquet Club and Brightview Bel Air, and a long line of Golden and Labrador Retrievers.

Relatives and friends will gather for a visitation at Schimunek Funeral Home, Inc., 9705 Belair Road, Nottingham, MD 21236, on Sunday, October 13, 2024, from 5-7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Joseph Fullerton Roman Catholic Church (Fullerton), 8416 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD, on Monday, October 14, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial in the parish cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Phil’s name to the National Kidney Foundation Serving the National Capital Area, 1600 Tysons Blvd, Suite 330, McLean, VA 22102.