Obituary of John Laurie Joseph "JAKE" Jacobs

John ‘Jake’ Laurie Jacobs Jake is survived by his wife Donna of 43 years; his girls – Terine (Derek) Forrester and Penny (Scotte) Titus; sister Val (Merv) Zwicker; mother-in-law Betty Hansen, sisters-in-law Carol (John) Zerkee and Lorraine Hansen; brothers-in-law Ted Hansen and Tim (Sandra) Hansen; many loving nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. Predeceased by his father Ches Jacobs, his mother Ollie Jacobs; sisters Sharon Ferguson and Sue Jacobs; father-in-law Ted Hansen and brothers-in-law Danny Ferguson and Conrad Tomaszewski. Jake took pretty much most of his schooling in Camrose except for his Grade 12 - he went to Medicine Hat to play hockey - he graduated from Medicine Hat High School - the next year he played for the Drumheller Falcons. Jake was employed with the Dept of Transportation for a short time - climbing towers in the NWT, BC and Alberta to change bulbs - (these towers ranged from 100 feet to 650 feet). A fall from a glide path tower in Fort St John ended that career. He then settled back in Camrose and worked for the Carpet Bin. Jake came to Stettler in 1977 where he was employed with the Carpet Bin which later became Stettler Flooring and Paint. In 1985 he began a 33-year career with Peavey Mart in Stettler as Store Manager. In 1999 he became Product Manager at Peavey Industries in Red Deer. In 2009 Jake came back to work at the store in Stettler. The community knew him as Mr. Peavey Mart. He really enjoyed engaging with his customers which is something he really missed when he retired. For a few years Jake was involved in raising pheasants, chukar partridges and some wild turkeys (turkeys were a bad choice – he didn’t particularly care for them). He would drive out to the cage every night to feed them and on weekends you could find him trying to make things better for them or just simply sit and watch. He really loved these birds. A bad snowstorm destroyed the cage and the birds escaped. Too much damage to rebuild and after having had hip and knee replacements, he decided to give it up. Jake loved to escape to the “Cabin.” A place where he could relax and get away from the hustle and bustle. He enjoyed the tranquility and the peacefulness. Upon retiring in 2018, during the winter months, Jake volunteered at the Food Bank which he enjoyed and, on the weekends, you would find him at the rink where he continued to mentor and supervise the young officials. He loved watching them improve and become more confident. He wanted everyone of his young officials to be the best they could be. Once hockey season was over, he could hardly wait for the golf season to begin. He became part of the grounds crew at Pheasantback Golf Course. He was in his glory as he now had a purpose everyday to get up in the morning again. Jake has always been involved with sports. Hockey, football, bowling and golf were his passions. He played minor hockey in Camrose, had a stint with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Drumheller Falcons and then played senior hockey for the Camrose Maroons and the Stettler Sabres. Growing up in Camrose, once athletes reached a certain level of hockey, they were required to take their turn officiating the younger levels. Jake began his officiating career in 1967 and attained his Level 4. He served as an official at multiple different levels. Jake was involved as a Coordinator and Instructor with the Hockey Alberta Development Camp for Officials for 25 years which helped groom young linesmen and referees. He was Zone chairman for the North Central Zone and later became Provincial Chairman of the Hockey Alberta Referees Council. Jake was the humble recipient of numerous awards including Hockey Alberta’s Hockey Development Award, the President’s Award, the Ernie Boruk Award, the Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation Award and was inducted into the Alberta Hockey Hall of Fame. He also became a Life Member of the Referee’s Council. Jake always had time for family – to him his wife and his girls came first, he would always check to make sure there were no other family plans before he committed to anything else. Jake was a man who was larger than life. His easy fun-loving attitude was contagious to everyone around him. He had a way with people that made them gravitate to him and once you met him you never forgot him. He will be profoundly missed. Funeral Service Friday, June 7, 2019 Stettler Recreation Centre Blue Arena Centre Ice Stettler, Alberta 1:00 PM Memorial Donations may be made to the Stettler Minor Hockey, Stettler Food Bank or a charity of your own choice. **** Refs wear your Referee Sweaters**** *****Golfers wear your Golf Shirts*****