Obituary of Michael A. Jacobs

Stamford Village Mayor and prominent local attorney Michael Arthur Jacobs, 65 of Stamford, NY passed away unexpectedly at Delaware Valley Hospital in Walton, NY on Saturday August 24, 2013, surrounded by his loving family. Born on February 26, 1948 in New York City, Michael was the son of Elias Herbert Jacobs and Minette Diamond Jacobs. He married Donna Louise Van Valkenburg on October 11, 1980 in Nantucket, Massachusetts. He was the proud father of Lauren Beth Jacobs, 32, a Justice for the Town of Harpersfield and Peter Elias Jacobs, 26, an accomplished musician. Mike graduated from Stamford Central School in 1964 and received his B.A. degree from McGill University in Montreal in 1968. He went on to earn his JD from Albany Law School of Union University where he served as Editor of the Law Review and was a member of the Justinian Society. Mike joined his father as a partner in the law firm of Jacobs and Jacobs in 1972. Mr. Jacobs was admitted in the Courts of New York State and was admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States shortly after his fifth year of practice. He personally argued nearly 40 cases in the Appellate Division of the State of New York with a high rate of success. He was a member of the Delaware County Bar Association, NYS Bar Association, American Bar Association, NYS Trial Lawyers Association, NYS Defenders Association, Association for Justice, NYS Magistrates Association and the National Rifle Association. Mike was Chairman of the Republican Committee for the Town of Harpersfield and served as Stamford Village Justice for 20 years. He was recently elected for his third term as Mayor of Stamford. He also served as an officer in both the United States Air Force and the US Merchant Marines. Mike was a licensed pilot who volunteered for the Veteran's Airlift Command, along with his son Peter, to provide air transportation for medical and other compassionate purposes to wounded warriors, veterans and their families. His passions were his family, his law practice, flying airplanes and racing cars, as well as being an advocate for the community and local politics. Michael is survived by his wife Donna Van Valkenburg Jacobs; daughter, Lauren Beth Jacobs, Esq.; son-in-law, Rafael Alfonzo, Esq.; son, Peter Elias Jacobs; mother-in-law, Marjorie Van Valkenburg; three sisters-in-law, one brother-in-law, many nieces and nephews, and his loyal German Shepherd, Ina. Michael was pre-deceased by his parents. Memorial services will be held on Sunday, September 8, 3pm at the Cyr Center (former Rexmere Hotel) in Stamford, NY. Pastor David Collins will be officiating. Burial will be at a later date at the Kensico Cemetery, White Plains, NY alongside his parents. Contributions can be made in Michael's memory to the Veteran's Airlift Command, (952) 582-2911, or The Village of Stamford. Those who wish to share condolences or a special memory may do so on-line at www.macarthurfh.com. Arrangements are with the MacArthur Funeral Home, Hobart, NY.