Jeffrey Brian Janson

Jeffrey Brian Janson, 66, died in the early hours of March 31, 2020 after a long and characteristically stubborn battle with cancer. He was born to the late Harry W. Janson and Patience (Pickett) Janson on November 7, 1953 in Biddeford, Maine, where Jeff spent his childhood before moving to Fairhaven, Massachusetts. His formative years were spent on the south coast of Massachusetts, where he attended Bishop Stang High School. As class president, he lobbied to have senior prom held in Rhode Island because the drinking age there was still eighteen, a story he recounted with pride to his children many times. He attended the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and graduated in 1977. Shortly after, he packed up his Volkswagen and drove across the country with his dog, Rasputin.

After graduation and his journey west, Jeff had a lifelong career in the airline industry. Starting out as a reservation agent with Northwest Airlines in Seattle, Washington, Jeff eventually returned to the east coast and worked for Northwest Airlines, and then Delta Airlines, as a Customer Service Supervisor at Boston Logan International Airport. He and his wife, Karen, met at Logan Airport on October 1, 1979. It was the first day of work for both of them at Northwest.

Jeff and Karen were married on September 18, 1982 in Skaneateles, New York, Karen’s hometown. After a short stint living year-round in a barely heated summer shack in Ipswich, Massachusetts, they bought a home in Newburyport, Massachusetts, the city where Jeff lived for the rest of his life.

Jeff was known for his patience and laid-back personality, qualities routinely tested by the antics of his three children in their high school years. Also known for his love of dogs, and beagles in particular, Jeff was commonly seen in later years walking his two beagles down High St. in Newburyport.

After his terminal cancer diagnosis, Jeff lived for just shy of five years. In this time, he was able to witness his oldest daughter’s wedding and the birth of his first grandchild. He was also able to experience his favorite holiday, Christmas, many more times than he imagined at the outset of his illness. He leaves behind a staggering number of Christmas tree ornaments.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 37 years, Karen (Hennigan) Janson; his daughter Kirsten (Janson) Jenkins and her husband Zachary of Portsmouth, NH; his granddaughter Natalie Jenkins; his daughter Maren Janson of Burlington, MA; his son Colin Janson of Newburyport, MA; his brothers Michael Janson of New Bedford, MA, and William Janson of Londonderry, NH; his sister Gretchen Janson of New Bedford, MA; and his two beagles, Odin and Cleo.

A memorial service will be held at a later date, due to the current coronavirus restrictions. The Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950 is assisting Mr. Janson’s family with his funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Jeffrey Brian Janson to support cancer research and patient care at: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute P.O. Box 849168 Boston, MA 02284, or via www.dana-farber.org/gift  Please donate to the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology.

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