DALTON, Mass. — Jacob “Jack” Franklin, 98, longtime Dalton resident and educator, passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2017. 

Born on August 8, 1918, in Webster, Mass., he was a son of the late Meyer and Mary Levinsky Franklin. He proudly served in the United States Army during World War II and continued his service as a 20-year member of the Air Force Reserves, retiring with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Educated in Webster schools, he was a 1936 graduate of Bartlett High School. He graduated from NYU in 1939, obtained a master's degree in education from Worcester and Clark after the war, and continued graduate study at Columbia. 

He married the late Linnie Pepper Franklin (d. 9/29/1989) on September 22, 1944, in Syracuse, New York. He began teaching English at the former Dalton High School in 1949. He served as principal there beginning in 1955 and continuing at Wahconah until he returned to teaching in 1973. He retired in 1978 following a brief stint as interim principal at Craneville Elementary School. He was a devoted and beloved congregant of Temple Anshe Amunim, serving for many years as a religious school teacher, principal, and board member.

Jack was a longstanding Dalton Rotarian, a distinguished elder statesman of the Saturday Evening Club, and a member of the Anthony J. DeAngelus Veterans of Foreign Wars. Besides his devotion to his family, his career and his faith, Jack is perhaps best remembered for his love of golf. Only in the last few years has he not been visible on the course at the Wahconah Country Club. Also until recently, his indoor activities included bowling, reading and solving crossword puzzles.

He leaves his daughter, Jean K. Poopor, and her husband Mark of Dalton; three sons, Robert S. Franklin and his wife Margaret of Aiken, S.C., Mark A. Franklin and his partner, Lynne Anstett, of Dalton, and Meyer P. Franklin and his wife Cynthia of Westford, Mass.; a former daughter-in-law, Michele Gottung, of Pittsfield; a brother, Murray Franklin of Miami, Fla.; 10 grandchildren, Keith Poopor (Sharone), Shana Crow (Aaron), Jeffrey Poopor (Caseyanne), Tara Franklin (James Barry), David Franklin, Jordan Franklin, Elisabeth Constantine (Todd), Kayla Waesche (Ben), Jeremy Franklin (Jeannette), and Daniel Franklin (Kristen); 16 great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews. 

He was predeceased by a brother, the late William Franklin.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Jacob “Jack” Franklin of Dalton, who passed away May 28, 2017, will be held Thursday, June 1, 2017, at 12:30 p.m. at Temple Anshe Amunim in Pittsfield conducted by Rabbi Joshua L. Breindel. Burial with military honors will follow in Ashuelot Cemetery in Dalton. 

There are no calling hours. The family will welcome visitors at the home of Mark and Jean Poopor, 96 Carson Avenue, Dalton, on Monday, June 5, and Tuesday, June 6, 2017, from 4 to 6 p.m. Memorial donations in memory of Jack may be made to the Jacob Franklin Scholarship Fund at Wahconah Regional High School or to Temple Anshe Amunim both in care of the Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, which is handling arrangements.