Robert M. Jacobs

With deep sorrow, the family of Robert M. Jacobs of Hudson, MA, and Delray Beach, FL, formerly of Ogunquit, ME, and Framingham, MA, announces his passing on Friday, February 24, 2023. Bob’s wife, children, and grandchildren hold many precious memories of his abiding love and support for them, and of the jokes he never stopped cracking until the end.

Bob was born in 1930 to Sylvia (Berenson) & David Jacobs, and grew up in Dorchester, MA. He graduated from English High School in 1947. The members of the social club he joined as a kid, the Matadors, remained life-long friends; as the “last man standing” he missed them greatly. Bob served in the Army’s Quartermaster Corp during the Korean War, after which he attended Boston University’s School of Management. At BU, he won the first Hutchinson Memorial Award for Excellence in Marketing.

He went on to a career in sales and sales management and owned his own business. Bob served on the boards of several charitable organizations and was a Democratic delegate to the Maine Caucus during the 2008 presidential election.

Above all, Bob valued his family. While at BU, he met the love of his life, Joanne (Zalkind) Jacobs. Married for 66 years, they remained devoted to each other and cherished best friends. He adored his children, who remember when they were little and acted up, their mother would warn, “Wait until your father gets home!” But instead of chastising them, he would get down on the floor and play. He cried with joy when his first grandson was born, and felt the same with the birth or adoption of each successive grandchild. He bonded with many of them over a mutual love of New England sports teams, he was proud of each one of them, and he loved them with his whole heart.

Anyone who knew Bob remembers his wry sense of humor. He found a way to make a (sometimes inappropriate) joke about any situation, and as he aged he often turned the jokes on himself, using humor to deflect the challenges that come with growing old. He cracked jokes in the last conversations he had with some of his children and grandchildren. One of his kids recently talked with him about the memory loss that often accompanies aging. She then asked him an unrelated question. “I don’t know,” he responded. “I don’t remember.” They were talking on the phone, but she could see the twinkle in his eye.

Bob struck up conversations with people and made friends wherever he went. With both new and long-term friends, he golfed, shared many laughs, talked sports, and cherished his bonds with them.

In addition to his wife, Joanne, Bob leaves his beloved children Hope & her husband David Pheifer of Hudson, MA; Debra Jacobs of Somerville, MA & her long-term friend Mark Sarver of Roslindale, MA; and Cindy Jacobs & her husband Eric Bilsky of Silver Spring, MD. He also leaves his dear grandchildren, Eric & his wife Katherine Pheifer of Laguna Hills, CA; Andrew Pheifer & his partner Ruby Villar of Reno, NV; Scott Pheifer of Hudson, MA; Julia Pheifer & her fiancé Nick Thomas of Franklin, TN; Sam Bilsky and Asher Bilsky of Silver Spring, MD; Rosie Jacobs of Somerville, MA; and Stella Jacobs of New York City. In addition, he leaves his brother, Laurence & his wife Kate Jacobs of Santa Fe, NM, and was pre-deceased by his brother Theodore Jacobs & his wife Bonnie Werby, formerly of Laguna, CA.

A funeral service in his honor will be held on Wednesday, March 1, at 11:00 am, at the Stanetsky-Hymanson Memorial Chapel at 10 Vinnin Street, Salem, MA (for livestream viewing, please see the service information section and click on the "join livestream" button. Burial will follow in the Roumanian American Cemetery, Danvers.

Memorial observance will take place at the home of Hope & David Pheifer on Thursday, March 2, from 2:00 to 5:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Bob’s honor to the charity of your choice.