Ira Butch Jacobson

March 10th, 2024

Greeting for Pennsylvania, I’m so sorry I couldn’t attend the services today because of family commitment.

Last Monday was a very sad day for me, it’s when I found out about the death of Coach Jake, I was almost in non-belief, today, his funeral, I will consider this day a celebration of his life and how he helped me, and others become part of the men we are today.

While growing up without a father figure, because of unexpected death of at the the age of 40, being raised by a strong and independent mother who tried her best, along with other “not so good” family dynamics, you could say I was a little wild and crazy growing up.

Coincidentally, his wife Jane, knew my mother from a mutual friend and talked occasionally.

When high school rolled around, I met Coach Jacobson because I played football and basketball in high school, I immediately found out the type of man Coach Jake was.
Being about 6’2” my freshmen year and kinda towering over Coach, he said “you are even taller than your mother said you’re the tallest jewish freshman boy I’ve met!”

I don’t know how true that was, but it made me crack a smile and made me feel that hey, he’s not as gruff as I been told.

Over the 4 years Coach Jake, tried to instill certain things in me, unfortunately, not all stuck until I became a-little older when I stated my family, he was aware of my personal situation growing up and would have many conversations with me trying to enforce all the good things I can do, but I needed to buckle down and stop screwing around in school.

I could remember when a teacher would tell him I was late or skipped class, while I was walking down the hallway or in the office while passing me you give me a shot in the stomach not real hard, but just hard enough, I think they called that abuse at this day and age 😂!

I was a member of the 78-championship ship football team, what a bunch of greats guys and coaches, I was so happy to be able to of shared that moment with him, he was so deserving of it!

It was my pleasure to be coached by a man that cared so much about his players, the only regret I have is that I wasn’t able to have that breakfast. we discussed a couple months ago.

To all of Coach Jake’s family members, all my condolences, he has left a great legacy that has affected hundreds of lives in a positive way and will be missed!

At some point, I hope you can share this with your family members, the young ones, anyone that needs to know how great he was and how impactful he was on a lot of people’s lives.

So, amongst all the sadness we all feel today, let’s celebrate the life of Coach Jake!

~Craig Kovin
~, Warminster, PA

March 10th, 2024

truly an outstanding person, coach, friend and family man…

~BARRY MARAM
~friend and fellow ‘63 Sullivan high school classmate, Chicago, Illinois

March 9th, 2024

I was so lucky to be close to Coach Jake. He was my Drivers’ Ed teacher and a coach when I was a student. We ended up coaching and teaching together. We became life long friends. He was a blessing in my life.

We spoke almost daily and usually had differences of opinion that would lead to long funny chatter. I will miss being able to call him when Ian Happ would strike out and complain, how is a man batting 0.230, leading the team in strike outs, still batting 3rd?

Butch was the definition of a great man. He was active in his grand childrens’ lives and loved watching them participate in sports.

Words cannot describe how much he will be missed.

~Mark Moskowitz
~Student/Co-coach/Friend, Las Vegas, NV

March 6th, 2024

My deepest sympathies to the Jacobsen family. I am currently in Florida and will not be able to attend the services. Butch was a terrific coach who was looked up by fellow coaches. R I P Butch.

~George Nahabedian
~Fellow Coach., MORTON GROVE

March 6th, 2024

It was a pleasure getting to really know Butch during the 10 years we worked together as officers on CPLcoaches association. He had a dry sense of humor at times where it took time to figure out. Very humorous! He was an asset to our organization and certainly will be missed.Rest in peace my friend.

~dennis dusek
~worked with Butch for 10 years as an officer of CPL coaches association during the 80’s, darien

March 6th, 2024

A good man and great friend. It was a great pleasure knowing him and coaching against him. Will miss you my friend.

~Joel Jonas
~Former CPSBCA coach and friend, Chicago, Ill

March 6th, 2024

Butch Jacobson made a difference for many who went to Sullivan High School. He would tell you the way that is was, and be honest with you. He will truly be missed. Thoughts and Prayers for Butch and the family. May He Rest In Peace, and May his Memory Be For Blessings.

~Gary Merrill
~Former student., Skokie

March 5th, 2024

My favorite coach

~James Rane
~, Chicago

March 5th, 2024

I’ll never forget those wonderful years in high school and having Coach Jacobson as my football coach, my driving instructor, my mentor and my friend. I remember sometimes practice was so difficult and so painful that I didn’t know if I could make it through another day. But Jacobson kept on pushing me and encouraging me and helped me understand that anythings that’s important, that’s worth something, require effort and hard work. That renewed my enthusiasm and my ambition and kept me focused on the goals I had set for myself. I never forgot those lessons and I’ve used them throughout my whole life. Sometimes when things would get tough and I felt like I had nothing left to give, I was able to dig deep down inside myself and find that extra bit of strength that I didn’t even know I had. Sullivan was a relatively small high school but we had some of the best football teams in the city and I was proud to be a part of that. Our coaches knew how to get the most out of us. We practiced and ran and ran and practiced until we were a tight unit. Everyone knew their part and everyone played their best. But none of that would have been possible without coaches like Jacobson. They were the architects and we were the instruments. I’ll never forget the one day he caught me smoking a cigarette out by the lunchroom parking lot. He stood there smiling at me with his pack of Marlboro’s rolled up in his sleeve. All he said was, “You like smoking? “Come see me before practice”. I spent the whole practice running around the football field, over and over and over and over. But that was my doing and that was my consequences. The best part was I got to stay on the team and keep my starting position. Never did that again. Thanks coach, for always being there and pushing me through the 4th quarter. 🙏🏻

~Mark L Parkey
~Student/Friend, Oak Lawn, IL

March 5th, 2024

It is with deep sorrow to hear the passing of Coach Jacobson, who gave so much and asked for little. There are not enough words to express my appreciation. I was one of the lucky ones to have played for Coach during the Championship season and cherish those memories. My brothers (all five) who played for Coach, spoke of the many coaches we had throughout the years with very few we’d call a friend. Coach Jacobson “Jake” was one of the few. My wife Bobbi and I always looked forward to seeing Jake at the Sullivan reunions. He will be missed, but we’ll never forget his kindness and friendship. Condolences to the family and know this, your dad “Jake” was loved by many. RIP “Jake”
Love you
Brian & Bobbi Robinson

~Brian & Bobbi Robinson
~Students/friends, Seminole, FL

March 5th, 2024

We were all lucky to spend our “troubled teen years” with such a great teacher/friend/mentor. I was lucky enough to enjoy a lifetime of being a guest in the family. His love for his kids and grandkids was his greatest achievement and I know he will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him. RIP

~Gina Johnson
~Friend, Elburn Il

March 4th, 2024

A great guy and a great coach. He left his mark on countless young men whom he made better by being in their lives.

~Evan Winer
~, Morton Grove

March 4th, 2024

I was fortunate to have Coach as both a Division teacher and football coach from 1979 to 1982. More recently I was able to reconnect and spend time with him. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to let him know what an incredible impact he had on me. My condolences to the entire Jacobson family. Coach will be missed.

~John O’Brien
~Student, Athlete and Friend, Chicago

March 4th, 2024

Just good friends who also worked on our Sullivan class of 63 reunions.

~Michael Pinsky
~High school classmates & life long friends, Northbrook , il

March 4th, 2024

Butch and I became acquainted via Our Time, a senior online dating site. We both had been recently widowed and it was good to talk with someone else who understood dealing with this loss. We discovered we were neighbors, living minutes apart! After a couple of dates, we decided we were best suited to be friends. Butch cherished his late wife and his memories of their time together. And he loved his family. He will be missed by all who knew him.

~Peggy Gorman
~Friend and neighbor, Volo, IL

March 4th, 2024

I had the great privilege of playing for Coach Jacobson and Coach polls at Sullivan high school. The respect I have as a player and even now for Coach Jacobson is immeasurable. He was my first role model outside of my family beginning as a freshman in high school. May he rest in peace.

~Chris Quinlan
~Played football for Coach Jacobson, Orlando