Laning Avenue students, parents and alumni are mourning the passing of Mauris Jackson, the long-time former custodian at the school. In words and in pictures they are remembering a man who cared deeply about the children at his school and loved the fact that they appreciated his sense of humor, like the ceramic dog that stood guard at the doghouse in his office.
Mr. Jackson, as he was known to legions of Laning kids and parents, always had time to listen to their concerns and accomplishments, in and out of the classroom. A former serviceman, he humbly accepted the honors that Laning bestowed on him every year in its Red, White & Blue Day assembly. And as Jack Atmeh, a former Laning student who graduated Verona High School in 2011 recalled, “He saved so many afternoons by going out of his way to go on the roof to get footballs and baseballs.”
He left a deep impression on Laning’s teachers as well. “My heart is broken:(,” wrote third grade teacher Jaime Ricci on Facebook. “He took care of Laning and was a wonderful man to us all! He was someone I trusted to always help me and listen to me when I was in need of a listening ear. He was one of the best! I’ve been so upset since I have heard:( RIP Mo you will be forever missed by so many!”
You can read Mr. Jackson’s obituary here. There will be a viewing at Cotton Funeral Home, 130 Main Street, Orange, on Saturday, June 6 from 9 to 11 a.m., followed by funeral service at Cotton.
Mr. Jackson knew each child by name and was always interested in hearing about them as they went on through middle school and high school. He will be missed.