Errol Jacobs

June 19, 1937 - December 30, 2014 Errol Jacobs, our dear brother, uncle and friend, died December 30. Having struggled bravely against Parkinson's Disease for over a decade, then with impossible complications, Errol made a firm decision against further treatment. An extraordinary intellect, lover of the arts, world traveler, and dedicated, compassionate member of all his families-those of blood, those of friendship, and countless colleagues and students-Errol demonstrated to all of us the life-affirming balances necessary to exploration far and wide in all its dimensions, the search for knowledge, understanding and truth, commitment to both the great political causes and the simple needs of ordinary people whose paths he crossed, and undying love. Born June 19, 1937, Errol was raised in Los Angeles by his parents Archie and Goldie Jacobs, along with his older brother Gary and younger sisters Lynne and Brenda. He attended Hamilton High School, then completed his MA degree in English, with a secondary teaching credential, at UCLA. His teaching career spanned nearly forty years-first at Audubon Junior High School, then Taft High School from which he retired. He remained a staunch teacher unionist and supported the full range of progressive principles in politics at all levels. Joined by his longtime companion Gerald Perreau, and later on his own, given his intrepid designs off the beaten track, with purpose and abandon that sometimes worried those of us holding tamer expectations, Errol crossed the continents, took in the heart of the world-in reality carried all of us with him-and became a prince. He studied and collected art for the sake of wonder and beauty, read widely, wrote splendidly, learned powerfully, and taught masterfully; he listened as if his life depended on it, spoke with authority, and cultivated wisdom and humor, which he understood not to be counterpoints; he remembered everything, and told compelling stories with precision and fine style. Errol's home stood as a center for family celebrations; he knew how to make a party, and we were always drawn to him. We are grateful beyond measure to Errol's devoted caregiver, without whom Errol could not have survived so long, struggling, in a context of relative contentment and hope-for his constant presence, the framework of trust, loving-kindness, providing continuing adventure in the world outside, however possible, and for his true affection. Errol is survived by family in Los Angeles and Oakland: brother Gary Jacobs, sister-in-law Sylvia Jacobs; sister Lynne Jacobs Schroeder; sister Brenda Jacobs Winston, brother-in-law William Winston; nephew Ian Dubin; niece Hillary Jacobs Hartman, nephew Steven Hartman, grand-nephews Jamie and Casey, and grand-niece Hayden; niece Illise Dubin Holran, nephew Dennis Holran, grand-niece Alexandra; nephew Dana Jacobs, niece Jennie Jacobs, and grand-nieces Loren and Jessica. And we remember others on Errol's account: niece Andrea Jacobs, also among us as daughter, sister and aunt; and brothers-in-law Robert Schroeder and Martin Dubin, also among us as husbands, fathers, and uncles. Errol made it clear-there will be no funeral. We will plan a party in his memory, in his honor, sometime in the weeks or months to come; relatives and friends will be contacted. Errol supported many organizations and charities. If you wish to make a donation on his behalf, please consider the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (https://www.michaeljfox.org), or the ACLU Foundation of Southern California - AIDS Project (https://www.aclu.org/hiv-aids).