John F. "Spook" Jacobs

John was born in Philadelphia in 1944 and moved to North Wildwood when he was two years old with his parents Fred (London, England) and Catherine (Glasgow, Scotland) because other Scottish immigrants settled in the seaside resort town.

John spent his summers making daily trips to the beach and playing pick-up baseball with his buddies. His baseball enthusiasm led him to the Wildwood Little League where he was affectionately nicknamed "Spook" Jacobs, who played the infield for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1954.

John attended Wildwood High School and was a member of the 1961-1962 New Jersey State Championship Basketball team in spite of missing crucial practices because of the infamous '62 storm.

He graduated from Glassboro State College and taught earth science at West Deptford High School where he started the boys' soccer program. After being called to duty with the Army National Guard, he returned to college and earned a master's degree in physical education. His next adventure and his longest employment were at Woodbury High School, where he started his second boys' soccer program. They won several championships. He also coached baseball, track and field, and basketball. He also loved playing golf. He took great pride in being Captain John of the Corner Kick, a sport fishing charter boat.

John was inducted into the South Jersey Soccer Hall of Fame and the Woodbury High School Hall of Fame, both of which gave him great pride.

John F. (Spook) Jacobs is survived by his wife, Terry P. Jacobs (Jefferys) and his two children Travis Jacobs (Meghan) and Taylor Sferra (Ross). John had six grandchildren: Charlotte, Jack, and Bennett Jacobs; Troy, Shane, and Luke Sferra. John is also survived by his siblings-in-law: William Jefferys (Carolyn), JoAnn Campbell, Kim Pipolo (David), Tracey Jefferys, and Karen Parks. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews: Ryan, Dana, Kyle, Caitlyn, Dylan, Anthony, and David. He is predeceased by his parents and his cousin Charles Scullion (AnnaMarie).

Relatives and friends may visit from 10:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday, March 21st at Smith Funeral Home, 47 Main Street, Mantua, NJ where a memorial service will be held at 12:00pm.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations can be made to Evangelical United Methodist Church, 14 W. Cohawkin Road, Clarksboro, NJ 08020 (Please make a notation In Memory of John Jacobs on the memo line) or to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, 4401 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15224 Tax ID – #25-1865744 (Please make a notation In Memory of John Jacobs on the memo line).

Memories & condolences can be shared at www.smithfhmantua.com.