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Albert B. Jackson | Athletic director, 81

Albert B. Jackson, 81, of West Chester, retired athletic director and a coach at Upper Darby High School, died at home of heart failure on May 11.

Albert B. Jackson, 81, of West Chester, retired athletic director and a coach at Upper Darby High School, died at home of heart failure on May 11.
Albert B. Jackson, 81, of West Chester, retired athletic director and a coach at Upper Darby High School, died at home of heart failure on May 11.Read more

Albert B. Jackson, 81, of West Chester, retired athletic director and a coach at Upper Darby High School, died at home of heart failure on May 11.

Mr. Jackson was head soccer coach at Upper Darby from 1955 to 1981. He took six teams to Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association championships, his daughter Judy said. Many players, she said, went on to be star athletes in college and to become coaches.

As athletic director, Mr. Jackson improved the girls' sports program and recruited hockey coach Vonnie Gros in the 1970s.

Gros went on to coach the U.S. Olympic hockey team to a Gold Medal in 1984.

Mr. Jackson was inducted into the Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

He was a graduate of Frankford High School and played on the swimming, baseball and soccer teams. He earned a bachelor's degree from Temple University, where he lettered in baseball and was an all-American soccer goalie. Before joining the Upper Darby faculty, he taught physical education and coached soccer and baseball at Friends Select School in Philadelphia.

Mr. Jackson enjoyed golf and spending time with his grandchildren, especially at their sports events.

In addition to his daughter, he is survived by his wife of 58 years, Florence; daughters Joanne Foss and Janet Turner; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 10:30 tomorrow at First Presbyterian Church, 130 W. Miner St., West Chester.