Dr. Allan Victor Kaufman
Born March 2, 1943, to Florence and Julius Kaufman, Allan grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. He attended Hunter College in the Bronx, where he earned his BA in Sociology. While still in college, he met Hattie. They married in 1964 and together raised two daughters, Stacey and Risa. With a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Adelphi University, Allan and the family moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where he worked for a short while as the Associate Administrator at River Garden Hebrew Home, before pursuing a Ph.D. in Social Work from Florida State University. He served as Executive Director of Jewish Family Services in Syracuse NY, and then joined the faculty of the University of Alabama School of Social Work in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he taught for nearly 25 years, developing a research passion in aging and the needs of older adults as caregivers.
Allan loved nothing more on the weekends than riding around Lake Tuscaloosa on his pontoon boat, stopping for a quick swim. He enjoyed pampering his dog and cat companions, listening to classic rock and roll (especially Billy Joel), and cooking delicious meals for his appreciative family and friends. He loved mint chocolate chip ice cream and Mel Brooks movies. Saturdays found him glued to the television cheering on the Crimson Tide football team. Upon retirement, Allan rediscovered an earlier interest in photography. He particularly loved taking pictures of old houses and sheds, and his photos adorn the walls of many family members.
Allan and Hattie returned to Jacksonville in 2018, where he enjoyed spending time with his family and watching the boats, birds, and marsh from his lanai overlooking the intracoastal waterway.
Allan loved his family dearly and took tremendous pride in them. His four grandchildren--Ryan, Hailey, Frieda, and Reuben—were always a source of delight.
Allan passed away peacefully on November 12, 2026 at River Garden Hebrew Home in Jacksonville. He was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Hattie; his children, Stacey Jewesak and Risa Kaufman (Daniel Belasco); grandchildren, Ryan and Hailey Jewesak and Frieda and Reuben Belasco; sister, Barbara Dreyfuss (Robert); and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Alabama School of Social Work First Generation Support Fund: https://give.ua.edu/?d=68D9DDC6-90D4-4907-AB77-1135823675C2, to River Garden Hebrew Home https://rivergarden.org/foundation/donate/, or to the charity of your choice.
A Funeral Service will be held at Beth El - The Beaches Synagogue on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM, followed by a Graveside Service at Ponte Vedra Valley Cemetery.
