Joel Jacobson

Age 81 of Halifax. On August 18, 2022, Joel passed away peace fully in Oxford, England with his loving wife, Cathy and children, Jason and Debra by his side. Born in Halifax on December 16, 1940, he was the son of the late Samuel S. and Ruby (Zwerling) Jacobson. He attended Sir Charles Tupper, Cornwallis Junior High and Queen Elizabeth High schools, then earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Dalhousie University (1963) and a Master of Science in Journalism at Boston University (1964). After a 12-year retail business career at the family department store, Kline’s Limited, he worked as marketing and public relations director at Sport Nova Scotia, Dalplex and the Nova Scotia Voyageurs. He joined the Halifax Herald Limited in 1984 and worked as a sports writer, City Hall reporter, editorial writer and business editor before beginning the very popular Bright Spot column in 1992 of which he wrote 2,339 stories of everyday people. In 2001, he started a Sunday Great Kids column, writing another 300-plus articles about wonderful young people in Nova Scotia. During his time with the Herald, he served on the company’s Rainbow Haven Board and Pension Investment Advisory committee for many years. He also represented the Herald at many public functions as a speaker and in schools as a mentor. He retired from the Herald in March 2009 but continued to work as a freelance writer, speaker and master of ceremonies until his passing. Open and genuine, rarely speaking a bad word about anyone or anything, he lightened a room when he walked in with his smile, glad hand and kind word. An avid sports fan, he was devoted to the New York Yankees, and would watch or listen to almost any athletic event happening. He had a positive outlook on life, using that, plus a constant smile and corny jokes, to overcome colorectal cancer and live happily with an ileostomy. He loved life, was an avid reader, watched too much television, relished classical music, expressed disdain for rap music and enjoyed good food with good company. He had pride in his time with the Herald slo-pitch team for which he pitched and, in later years after hip surgery, coached to a zillion Metro Media League championships. Joel is survived by his loving and loved wife of 48 years and best friend, Cathy; son, Jason (Jessica); grandchildren, Samantha and Kyle Jacobson, Toronto; daughter, Debra (Ian Mattingley); grandchildren, Olivia and AJ Mattingley, Wantage, England; nephew, Charles Jacobson (Kim Jacobson), Melbourne, Australia; plus several cousins. Funeral will be held in the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium on Monday, August 29th at 2p.m. Burial to follow in Beth Israel Synagogue Cemetery at the corner of Connaught and Windsor. Shiva (visitation) will be held at the home of Cathy Jacobson with visitation from 7-9 p.m. on Monday. Shiva will continue on Tuesday, August 30th through Thursday, September 1st from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

Always community-minded and a willing volunteer, traits he gleaned from his parents, Joel served as president or chairman of the following organizations and events: Dalhousie University, Alumni Association 1980-81, Halifax Progress Club 1977-78, Co-founder (1973) and chair, Canadian Progress Club Kings Meadow Sports Celebrity Dinner 1973-1976. He served on the boards of Beth Israel Synagogue, Nova Scotia Special Olympics, Abilities Foundation of Nova Scotia, United Ostomy Association of Canada, Camp Kadimah, Nova Scotia Rehabilitation Centre Foundation, and Rainbow Haven Opportunities Fund. He was chair of the Central Region selection committee, Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, coordinator of Induction Night for the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame from its first date in 1980 to date, media chair, CIS Basketball Championships for 20 years, organizing committee, 2002 national conference in Halifax, United Ostomy Association of Canada; Danny Gallivan Cystic Fibrosis golf tournament committee and banquet emcee for more than 20 years, Pan American Wheel chair Games, Communications Chair 1982, Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Community and Race Relations of City of Halifax, Honourary chair of Big Brothers-Big Sisters-Dartmouth Halifax Bowl for Kids Sake, Secretary, program chair of Metro Halifax Chapter, United Ostomy Association of Canada, Chair, Halifax chapter UOAC 35th anniversary celebration, Chair, World Ostomy Day Canadian kick off, 2009, Editor, national newsletter, United Ostomy Association of Canada, Atlantic Canada correspondent Canadian Jewish News (Toronto-based publication), major contributor, Shalom Magazine, Atlantic Jewish Council; Volunteer emcee, Provincial Volunteer Awards, Recreation Nova Scotia; emcee Dalhousie Sport Hall of Fame Inductions and emcee of many community events. He received many awards and distinctions for his volunteer and career work including Gordon Archibald Award for community service from Dalhousie University Alumni Association, 2005, James Ellery Award, American Hockey League Print Journalist of the Year, 1987, Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame Volunteer of the Year Award, 1990 and 2004, Nova Scotia Special Olympics Volunteer of the Year Award, 1991, Easter Seals March of Dimes National Award, June 1997, Volunteer Award named after him (2001) for commitment to CIS Basketball Championships, Peter Gzowski Literacy Award of Merit, 2002, presented by ABC CANADA Literacy Foundation, President’s Award, Nova Scotia Special Olympics, 2002, Community award as Paul Harris Fellow, Halifax Rotary Club, 2002, Queens Golden Jubilee Medal, 2003, Burleigh Wile Outstanding Service Award, Halifax chapter, UOAC 2009, Community Award, J.L. Ilsley High School, June 2009. Donations may be made to the Halifax Chapter, United Ostomy Association of Canada; Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame, or Beth Israel Synagogue.