My grandfather, Joseph
Thomas Jacobs, was born at home in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on January 13, 1905. He was the 8th child and 5th oldest
son of Anastazja and Johann Jakubowski. He was named after his mother's father. Because he was very weak
at birth, his parents didn't think he would live long, but he proved them wrong. He ended up living for 86 years,
and they were 86 years filled with a fascinating life.
During his teens, he delivered medicine
for a pharmicist. He served in the army during World War II, and after the war he packed government rations at J.B.
Carr Biscuit Company in Wilkes-Barre.
His main job, however, was that of church
organist and piano teacher. His father, who was a building and construction worker, didn't want him to endure hard labor
like he had, so he hired Joseph a piano teacher and sent him for organ lessons at the Irem Temple. Joseph served as
an organist at several churches until May 1, 1931, when he became the organist and choir director for St. Mary's Church of
the Maternity in Wilkes-Barre, which was the regular church he attended. He served in that position for 60 years in
addition to teaching piano lessons to children in his area.
He attended Bucknell Junior College and
St. Thomas College, which is now called the University of Scranton, where he studied liberal arts. He was also a pianist
for dance bands, including the Russ Morgan Orchestra. He was a member of the American Federation of Musicians and the
National Pastoral Musicians Association.
In his personal life, he married Frances
Barbara Dress on January 7, 1946, and he and his wife had ten children, one of whom(Teresa) died shortly after her birth.
He loved to tell stories, and when he got older he always wanted to learn to ride a bike. His favorite song was "Edelweiss"
from the movie Sound of Music.
He died on September
4, 1991 from complications resulting from a stroke. He is buried in St. Mary's Maternity Cemetery in West Wyoming,
Pennsylvania.
