Alfred Jackson

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Life began for Alfred Lewis Jackson on July 21, 1953. His life ended suddenly on April 7, 2022, only three and a half weeks after he was diagnosed with metastatic disease by doctors at Christiana hospital. The world was a wonderful place with Alfred in it. He will be missed by many, not the least of whom are his family.

Alfred was the fifth child born to Charles and Lula Carter Jackson. The family lived in Kennett Square on Birch Street during Alfred’s childhood. Alfred’s family grew to include 5 younger siblings to make him a middle child of the family of ten children. Many of the stories recounted by family members gathering each year for holidays and summer parties originated in Kennett during this time.

Alfred was educated in Kennett and played sports as he grew older. He ran track and played soccer at Kennett. His love of sports led him to play many others for fun well into his adult years. He enjoyed playing softball in the evenings at the Herb Pennock field with his brothers and nephews on his team. When the “Ball Hog” volleyball tournament was held in Unionville, Alfred would insist on practices before the event, and he would play with reckless abandon while on the court. He loved watching sporting events including but not limited to basketball, baseball, football, soccer, and golf. His love of sports of all kinds led him to support the children in his world by attending their competitions and helping them to perfect their skills for their next game.  He loved to show younger sports enthusiasts how to throw a slider or how to do a hitchkick or an old-timers hook shot. He was most fond of going to Eagles football games in his most recent past. He could armchair coach with the best of them.

Alfred was proud of having served his country in the Army during the Post-War Era of the Vietnam conflict. He was discharged in April of 1974.  After his discharge, he then showed his support of all men and women who served by becoming a card-carrying member of the Kennett Square branch of the American Legion post 0491.  He participated in Memorial Day parades by marching with a color guard. He bought and flew a flag for POWs to show respect for those servicemen and women who were captured by America’s enemies during conflicts. He was a truly dedicated American as evidenced by his actions and affiliations. When Alfred left the service, he attended culinary school and thus started the next chapter of his life.

Alfred worked in many restaurants in Pennsylvania and Delaware, but his career as an executive Chef was primarily spent at the Kennett Square Inn.  He proudly served the Kennett community for 25 years at the Kennett Square Inn and when patrons asked for something special, he could usually accommodate any request.  He loved creating specialty dishes constructed with a portion of Kennett Square mushrooms in honor of the industry for which Kennett is famous.  He enjoyed competing in the Mushroom Festival cooking contest and was featured one year on Fretz’s Kitchen as a result of his creation.

During his career as the executive chef at the Kennett Square Inn he met his significant other, Jan Orbon, with whom he shared his life until his passing on April 7, 2022 at the age of 68 years.  He lived out most of his life within a 25-mile radius with Kennett at its center. He loved being a chef, he loved having a family, he loved vacations in Cape May, he loved sports, and he loved spending time with friends. Since his retirement in 2019, Alfred has had a new love, and that is his dog, Raven. His family members and friends know that if you are loved by Alfred, you have a feeling of security and care like no other.  He has probably given you a nickname as well. His loving and loyal heart and his quietly powerful energy support all of the people he loves.

Alfred will forever be remembered by his family which includes his significant other, Jan Orbon, her daughter, Julia Fornoff, and Julia’s  son, Tyler Fornoff; Alfred’s daughter, Doris Harris (Sonny), his grandchildren, Nicole Robinson, Derrick Steele and Tre’von Harris; his siblings Charles Jackson, Clarence Jackson (Jessica), Gary Jackson (Danielle), Edward Jackson, Robert Jackson, Cathy Quail, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and Aunt Pearl Cunningham .  Alfred was predeceased by his parents, Ebby Twyman, John Jackson, and Cynthia Jackson.

You are invited to visit with Alfred’s family and friends from 1:00-2:00PM Thursday April 21, 2022 at Church of the Advent, 401 N. Union St. Kennett Square, PA 19348. His life celebration service will follow at 2:00PM.  Interment will be held privately.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Alfred Louis Jackson memorial fund at ( https://www.tmcfunding.com/funds/alfred-l-jackson/6622/ ) or to the After The Bell Program where he volunteered many times (online at https://www.afterthebell.org/donate )

Arrangements are by Matthew J. Grieco of Grieco Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. ( 484-734-8100 )  To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecofunerals.com