Grant "Les" Lovell Alford

Grant “Les” Lovell Alford was born in Santa Maria, California on January 15, 1942 and passed away at the age of 80 on Thursday, September 1, 2022, as a resident of Green Cove Springs. Known for his larger-than-life personality and sense of humor, Grant always had something witty to share, and everyone he encountered felt better knowing him. He was born to Grant Lovell Alford, Sr and Ann Howe Jeffriss. He is survived by siblings, Berwick Bryant and Suzan Sharpley. His Aunt Chloe and Uncle Matthew Tangye also held a very special place in his heart growing up. Grant graduated from Northridge Military Academy in 1961. He served in the Navy on aircraft carriers and patrol squadrons and ran aerial bombing ranges between the years of 1960 and 1968. He moved to Florida in 1970. Grant had many professions, and he tackled each with great enthusiasm. These included a radio disc jockey, a reporter, an actor appearing in local/national commercials, tv and big screen movies, but his primary career was in insurance and financial services attaining the designation of Certified Financial Planner. Even in retirement, he continued school at Walters State Community College receiving a degree from Rel Maples Institute for Culinary Arts in 2015. His instructor would tell you that “This 70-year-old walked circles around the young kids and brightened everyone’s day doing it.” Grant also had served in the Kairos prison ministry addressing the spiritual needs of incarcerated persons, and he was a Eucharistic minister at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. One of his other achievements (and he would say his greatest) was marrying his wife and best friend, Cathy. As a reporter in Jacksonville, he was standing on the bumper of her car taking a picture when she saw him and abruptly asked him to get off her car. From that point forward, they enjoyed a life together of fun, family, friends, years of sailing adventures on the “Wanderer” and many of their retirement years in the mountains of Gatlinburg, TN. Never missing a moment to cherish her, he wrote daily notes to her along with cards and presents. She will miss her “Julio” dearly. Grant is survived by his wife, Cathy and children: Matt (wife Ana; children Thais and Rodrigo), Kelly, Ian (wife Grace; children Lilly and Isabella), Anne-Marie (husband Danny; children Jason and Brian). We must not forget their beloved fur child, Spirit, who brought much happiness to them in their later years. Grant and Spirit were local celebrities in town, known for lively conversation and daily walks in stores and in Spring Park. May he now Rest in Peace and be with God. A celebration of Grant’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 3, 2022 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 7190 Highway 17, Fleming Island, FL. Grant will be inurned in the columbarium at Jacksonville National Cemetery. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories of Grant at www.broadusraines.com