It is with profound sadness that the family of Bernard Jacobson announces his passing on May 17, 2024. He was beloved by his family, his wife of 68 years, Florence Greenberg Jacobson, his children, Daniel Jacob¬son, Alice Jacobson Lash (Alan), and Nancy Jacobson Penn (Mark), his grandchildren, Benjamin Lash (Elle¬anor), Brian Lash, Michael Jacobson (Sarah), Zachary Jacobson, Blair Penn, Miles Penn (Beth), Jacqueline Penn Deutsch (Alexander), and Margot Penn Jaffee (Stephen), and his great-grandchild, Maxwell Deutsch.
Bernie led a life rich in the love of his family and friends. He was born in Hartford, CT, on February 27, 1930, to Samuel and Lillian Jacobson. He earned his undergraduate degree from Amherst College, where he was the president of his graduating class, and graduated from Columbia Law School in 1954. He subsequently served in the U.S. Army’s Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) following the Korean War. He met and married Florence during a whirlwind courtship in 1955 and, at the completion of his army service, they moved to Miami in 1957.
Bernie quickly became a “native” Miamian and fully embraced the South Florida lifestyle. He enjoyed many outdoor activities, especially playing tennis with Florence and their many friends and accompanying his grandchildren to the Miami Open tennis tournament. He was passionate about fishing and boating, most often during cherished family weekends in the Florida Keys. His fishing and boating adventures were truly legendary, many of which occurred on his aptly named boat, “The Shipwreck.” He was also an avid dog lover, and experienced great joy spending time with his many beloved Norwegian elkhounds over the years.
In Miami, Bernie began his law practice clerking for Richard Stone who was then a U.S. Senator. He began his own law practice in 1957, and then joined with Martin Fine and Irwin Block, to form the firm that ultimately became known as Fine, Jacobson, Schwartz, Nash, Block and England. He later practiced law at Holland & Knight and Akerman. Bernie possessed a formidable intellect and was a highly skilled problem solver. Perhaps his greatest gift, however, was serving as a trusted advisor and mentor to so many. Even after he “retired” from law practice, Bernie continued to lend his time and talent and took great pride in organizing an annual legal lecture series for the Veterans Administration Hospital physician residency program. Many of the community’s legal legends happily accepted Bernie’s invitation to support him in this meaningful endeavor.
Bernie had many civic interests, was a patron and supporter of the arts, and achieved numerous professional accomplishments. His greatest source of pride, how¬ever, was his devoted and loving marriage to Florence and his joy in his children and grandchildren. His life was blessed with extensive travels and other adventures, rich professional, civic and religious experiences, devotion to his family, and loyalty to his many lifelong friends. Bernie possessed an easy smile and warm laugh, a kind heart, and a pure soul. He was a truly good man, and we will miss his love and kindness and joy of life.
A funeral service for Bernard will be held Monday, May 20, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapels at Mount Nebo (Kendall), 5900 SW 77th Ave, Miami, FL 33143.
Donations in memory of Bernie may be made to Temple Judea of Coral Gables, https://www.judeagables.org/ or Jewish Community Services of South Florida, JCSFL.org
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.2