PORTLAND and WARDS COVE, Sebago Lake – Phillip Virgie Jacobson, 75, passed away peacefully Dec. 18, 2010, surrounded by his family at the Maine Veterans Home, Scarborough. He was born May 27, 1935, in Monson, and was the middle child of Roland C. and Marion (Virgie) Jacobson. He graduated from Dexter High School in 1953 and attended the University of Maine, Orono, where he was a fraternity brother of Beta Theta Pi. Phil was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force stationed at Andrews Air Force Base. Phil returned to Maine from Vienna, Va., in 1970 and settled on Ward’s Cove on Sebago Lake with his wife, Jane and their five children, Julie, Chuck, Karen, Scott and John. He left his system analyst manager’s position at Blue Cross Blue Shield, Washington, D.C., to spend more time with his family – not an easy road to travel, but one of his choosing. He always treasured his time with family. He bought Sebago Lake Bowling and developed a music hall, Lakeview, 1970-1973. He worked as a carpenter building houses, however his passion was designing and building boats. His 15-footer was launched with the help of his neighbors and friends on Ward’s Cove. With the help of his son, John, he took his boats to wooden boat shows in Newport, R.I. Phil received national recognition for his boat design from Cruising World Magazine and Wooden Boat. He was best known for his sense of humor and accepting of all people. After his brain injury in 1973 he and his wife relocated to Back Cove, Portland. He was able to walk and visit all the hot dog men and fishermen on the pier. As his health declined, his son, Scott, came each day to help care for his dad until his admission to Maine Veterans Home, April 1, 2010, where he remained until his passing. He loved music of all kinds, jazz, country and rock and roll, and was known to dance with his caregivers. We will miss his antics, funny faces, songs and charm all a delight of his grandchildren. Gramp had a special relationship with each of his grandchildren. We hope you dance! Phil was predeceased by his mother and father; and sister, Shirley (Jacobson) Hartley. Phil is survived by his soul mate and wife of 51 years, M. Jane (Pomroy) Jacobson; sister, Gayle (Jacobson) Verock and husband, Frank; five children, Julie Jacobson-Maloney and husband, Don, of Saco, Charles Jacobson and wife, Michelle, of Bangor, Karen Flaherty and husband, Ed, of Baileyville, Scott Jacobson and wife, Belinda, of Windham, and John Jacobson and wife, Jennifer, of Scarborough; and 11 grandchildren; Michael and Jeffrey Wolstenhulme, Amy, Danielle, Rebecca and Matthew Jacobson, Eddie and Marlene Flaherty, Zachary, Katrina and Abigail Jacobson. Friends and relatives are invited to attend a funeral Mass 10 a.m. Dec. 30 St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1342 Congress St., Portland. A celebration of his life will be held immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Phil’s honor to the Wooden Boat School Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 78, Brooklin, ME 04616 or Maine Veterans Home, 290 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074. To offer words of condolence for the family and sign a guest book, go to the obituary page at www.independentdeathcare.com.
PHILLIP VIRGIE JACOBSON
