My grandfather, Joseph Thomas Jacobs(Jakubowski),
was born on January 13, 1905. He was the 8th child and 5th oldest son of Anastazja and Johann Jakubowski.
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 was married 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.
