Obituary: Joe Jackson, Middle School Y-Achievers Staff Member

This obituary was submitted by the Albany YMCA.

The Albany YMCA was deeply saddened last week by the loss of Joe Jackson, a staff person in the Y-Achievers Middle School program. We were informed by family that Joe passed away during the early morning of February 21 at Doctors Hospital in San Pablo. For the past three months Joe had been suffering from a chest ailment which was eventually diagnosed as cancer.

Joe was hired in May of last year to be a counselor in our Awesome Adventures summer camp for middle school students. Joe was well liked by his fellow staff and especially by the campers who often sought him out to talk or play a game.  After summer, Joe was asked to continue working with us in the Y-Achievers program where his calm demeanor and patience were vital assets in helping students with their studies. During his illness Joe’s absence was deeply felt by students and staff alike.

Joe was extremely active in his community and dedicated to working with children. Before coming to work at the Y Joe volunteered with the Big Brothers mentoring program and worked with mentally disabled toddlers. In addition to his work with children Joe had many other talents and interests. He was a collegiate baseball player at Savannah State and a superb writer pursuing a Master’s Degree from UC Berkeley in creative non-fiction. 

While the entire staff of the Albany YMCA is struck by the loss of such a talented, thoughtful and caring young man, we appreciate having had the opportunity to work with him and know him. He was a tremendous asset to our programs and the youth he served. He will be deeply missed.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 9 at the 7th Avenue Missionary Baptist Church, 1740 Seventh Ave., Oakland, CA 94606.

Viewing will be held on Friday, March 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Smith and Whitter Funeral Home, 5145 Sobrante Ave., El Sobrante, CA 94803.

Cards should be addressed to the family at 5550 Central Ave., #25, El Cerrito, CA 94530.