Wilfred J. "Jake" Jacobson

Wilfred Jacob (Jake) Jacobson was born on June 22, 1925, in Duluth, MN. His parents were Jacob Jacobson (Kaustinen) from Sweden & Agnes Qually. He is survived by his three children, Janet Bachrach (Bonita Springs, FL), Joan Gilchrist (Barefoot Beach, FL), and Richard Jacobson (Portland, OR).
Jake served in the infantry under Patton's Army, and he was awarded four bronze battle stars. After the war, Jake resumed college attending Northwestern University, but his plans to study law were interrupted when he met the love of his life, Dorothy Jacobson, who graduated from the Kellogg Business School at Northwestern. They were married for over fifty years, and he cared for Dorothy who suffered from Alzheimer's disease for over 20 years at home.
Wilfred joined his father in his construction business in the Chicago area, building the Harvey YMCA in 1953, 1000 Lake Shore Drive in 1954, and Glenbrook North HS & Gym in 1953. Jake continued to build townhomes and buy apartment buildings on his own in Northbrook, Glenview, Palatine, Chicago, Evanston, and Oak Park. He was respected by his employees for his: honesty, integrity, generosity, and humility.
Family was his greatest source of pride and happiness. In 2018, he moved to Florida to be near his daughters. He lived a vibrant life hiking, snow skiing, water skiing, and playing tennis well into his eighties. Even at 97 years old, he would go for a boat ride almost every day. Dedicated caregivers lovingly cared for "Mr. J" for nearly a decade.
To all who knew him, he was beloved.
Memorials to Michael J. Fox Foundation https://www.michaeljfox.org/ or to the Badu Foundation, Inc. (for the Wilfred J. Jacobson Memorial Scholarship Fund) at https://gofund.me/9b172098
Graveside services with Military Honors will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 10:00 AM at Naples Memorial Gardens 525 111th Ave. No., Naples, FL 34108.
To sign his guest register or to leave online condolences please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com.
Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.