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Forrest Jacobs Obituary
Of Milford, passed away Friday, February 18, 2011 at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. He was 85.
Mr. Jacobs was born on November 4, 1925 in Cheswold, son of the late Edwin F. and Norma C. (Willey) Jacobs.
He graduated from Salem High School, Salem, New Jersey in 1943. Immediately after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a Sergeant during World War II.
Upon return from his tour of duty, Mr. Jacobs played professional baseball for 17 seasons, playing for the Philadelphia Athletics, the Kansas City Athletics, the Pittsburgh Pirates and several minor league clubs in Cuba and Panama. He was a speedy second baseman, known for his aggressive style on the base paths and unique hitting style, which earned him the nickname "Spook". On opening day 1954, Spook had four base hits in his first four major league at bats. He was a superb contact hitter, striking out only 4% of his total plate appearances.
He is a member of seven Sports Halls of Fame - Delaware Baseball, Columbus Ohio, Cuban Baseball, Eastern Shore, Delaware, South Jersey and Salem County (NJ).
After his baseball career ended, Spook and his wife Bobbie settled in Milford where they owned and operated the Milford Bus Center then Mr. Donut/Donut Connection over a span of 42 years before retiring.
One of his proudest achievements was when his personal stamp collection was featured in 2008 at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Mr. Jacobs was a member of the Milford Lions Club, a long time member of the former Milford Kiwanis Club, a member of the Blue Hen VFW Post #6483 in Milford, the Milford Rotary Club, where he organized the annual Sports Banquet for 11 years, the American Legion Post #3 in Milford, and the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society.
Spook also coached baseball at Del Tech and the Milford Little League.
He was a devoted member of the Avenue United Methodist Church in Milford.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie Jacobs in 2010, a son Tommy Jacobs, a granddaughter, Dominique Nicole Jacobs and a brother, Edwin Jacobs.
He is survived by a son, Robert Forrest Jacobs; a granddaughter, Ashley Monique Jacobs of El Paso, TX; a great-grandson, Thomas Vincent Jacobs Wesley of El Paso; a sister-in-law, Shirley Orren of Abilene, TX and several cousins, nephews and nieces.
Friends may call from 6-8 pm on Friday, February 25, at the Avenue United Methodist Church, 20 N. Church St., Milford. Services will be held at 1 pm on Saturday at the church. Burial will follow in the Milford Community Cemetery on Route 113.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions to Avenue United Methodist Church, 20 N. Church St, Milford, DE, 19963 or to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE, 19963.
Condolences may be emailed at
www.delmarvaobits.com/rogers
Arrangements handled by
ROGERS FUNERAL HOME, Milford
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Forrest Jacobs
GySgt Andrew J. Svaby Sr., USMCR (ret.)
August 22, 2024
Always reminded TRUE MLB trivia nuts, that Hank Aaron and he both made their MLB debut the same day, and he had a better one! R.I.P.
Jeanne Jain
March 25, 2011
Dear Bobby and family,
So sorry to hear of your loss. My sincere sympathy. May God grant you peace...
Steve Motter
March 24, 2011
To the family:
Spook will be missed by all. He was a friend, a mentor and a great family man. What an honor to have known him and had the privilege to play ball for him in 1966 and 1967.
I will always cherish my memories of him.
Steve
Brad Henderlong
February 27, 2011
So sorry for your loss. I knew Spook at the Bus Station as a child living in Milford, via my dad, Ralph Henderlong (another WW-II Vet), who considered Spook to be one of his very dearest long-term friends in Milford. With deepest respect in memory of Spook's larger-than-life accomplishments throughout his meaningful life (and thanks for his having enriched the life of my own dad). He was a wonderful asset to the daily life of Milford, and will be sorely missed.
Chris Witt
February 27, 2011
I worked for him in his baseball card shop in Milford when I was 13. He was one heck of a character - always had a great sense of humor, was an outstanding storyteller, and loved to laugh. But he also was a very devoted father and husband and an extremely hard worker.
Simply one of a kind!
February 25, 2011
Please accept my sincerest condolences on the passing of Spook Jacobs. He was one of the nicest friends I have ever met during my tenure at the Phila. A's Historical Society.
Richard Burt
February 25, 2011
Spook was the only major leaguer who ever responded to a letter I sent.
RIP and thank you, Mr. Jacobs
Mike Dugan
February 25, 2011
To the Family of "Spook "Jacobs my thoughts and prayers go out to you.
I am long time follower of MLB and was lucky enough to have his ball cards in 1955 and 1956.I remembering writing to him when he had the donut shop and we shared his experiences in winter ball where he really excelled.
God bless you today and all you tomorrows.
Rob Rugel
February 24, 2011
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Jacobs family. When I met him at his last Phila. A's show he was truly a gentleman.
Rob Rugel
Mark Moore
February 23, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Forrest "Spook" Jacobs. May God's peace and comfort be with you. We remember with fond memories a great man! Mark Moore-Kansas CIty Baseball Historical Society
Rose Warren
February 23, 2011
To The Family,
We are both so extremely sorry to learn of your loss. Spook Jacobs was a special man and all who knew him just simply liked him. We know you will truly miss him.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Rose & Butch Warren
John Glasco
February 23, 2011
God bless you Spook and Bobbie. We
dearly miss you both. RIP
Jerry Guyer
February 23, 2011
Spook was a special man. I remember also working for him. Also him and my father doing the sports banquet for Milford Rotary.
Stephanie Saxon
February 23, 2011
Many people in Milford have fond memories of Spook, including me. God Bless you, Mr. Jacobs.
James Gleason
February 23, 2011
He gave me my first job in retail @ Milford Bus Center.He & his wife Bobbie
treated me like a member of their family.
He was a great man.
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