Chief Bob Jacoby

Robert was the only child born to Louis and Fredricka Jacoby on November 1, 1932, in New York City. They moved to Woodmere Long Island where Bob attended Lawrence schools. He enjoyed playing Football, Baseball and Ice Hockey. After graduating from Lawrence High School in 1950, he joined the Woodmere Fire Department in 1951 while attending Clarkson College in Potsdam, NY. He was on the Freshman Hockey Team and joined Theta Chi Fraternity while studying Engineering. In 1953 he joined the US Army and was assigned to Fort Devins as a member of the Field Artillery. Since he was 6’3”, he was detailed to the Military Police where he was eventually transferred permenently. He was sent to Germany as part of the US Army Security Force, and stationed at Herzo Base. After his enlistment was complete he returned to the US and remained in the US Army Reserves. He studied Civil Engineering at SUNY Farmingdale and was hired by the County of Nassau as a Traffic Engineer. He served in this role for 16 years. In 1961 he married the former Helen Johannsen of Rockville Centre. They moved to Oceanside and Bob transferred to the Oceanside Fire Department joining Hose Company #1. Helen and Bob’s first child, Diane was born while Bob was recalled to active duty at Fort Dix, NJ. After his Honorable Discharge from the Army in 1964, their second child, Craig was born, followed by Kenneth and Thomas. While a member of the Oceanside Fire Department he served as Captain of Hose Company in 1965 and 1970. With his extensive background in the Military Police, Bob took the Civil Service test for Director of Security for the Nassau County Hospital and Nursing Homes. He was appointed Director of Security at Nassau County Medical Center in 1971. This was a job that he loved and did for 21 years. In 1974 he was elected 3rd Assistant Chief for the Oceanside Fire Department. After serving as 2nd and 1st assistant Chief he rose to the Rank of Chief of Department in 1977. He took great pride in leading the department and believed strongly in promoting “Esprit de Corps” or Pride in Service. That year the Oceanside Fire Department won 1st place at the NYS Fireman’s Association Parade in Syracuse, NY. After his term as Chief was complete, Bob continued in many roles with the OFD including Training Officer and Safety Officer. He became an Assistant Chief Instructor at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy, teaching probationary firemen for over 25 years. There was nothing Bob loved more than his family, In 1988 he became a Grampy for the first time when his daughter & her husband had their first child; Katelyn. Over the next 24 years, Bob & Helen watched their three sons get married and add 11 more grandchildren to their family tree. Bob is survived by his loving wife of almost 64 years Helen, his children Diane (Mike), Craig (Michelle), Ken (Debbie), Tom(Barb) and his grandchildren Kate, Erik(Trystan), Ryan(Katelynne), Nicole, Jessi, Steph, Michael, Dan, Emily, Maggie, Teresa, and Joey. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law Karen(Tim), many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends at Towers Funeral Home, 2681 Long Beach Rd, Oceanside NY, 11572 on Thursday, March 6, 2025 from 6:00 PM - 9:00 pm and Friday, March 7, 2025, from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

Funeral services will take place at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 240 Lincoln Ave., Rockville Centre, NY 1170. Burial to follow at Greenfield Cemetery Uniondale, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s memory to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, RVC, NY at Holytrinitylutheranchurchrvc.com.