John H. “Jack” Jacobs Jr., 72, of Speers, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. A son of the late John H. Jacobs Sr. and Jeannine Harrison Jacobs, who survives and resides in Dunlevy, he was born in New Eagle on June 8, 1949. Formerly of Dunlevy, Jack resided in Speers for 24 years, was a graduate of Charleroi High School in 1967 and later graduated from California University of Pennsylvania. He was a member of Dunlevy United Methodist Church and retired in 2004 after 33 years from the Department of Welfare, Donora and Charleroi, as a case manager. He was the former president of the Charleroi Cougar Booster Club and a member for 40 years. He was also a member of the Tenth Street Athletic Club, the Allenport Rod & Gun Club, where he was a former treasurer, and a long-time member of the Garibaldi Golf League. He was an avid chess player, belonging to numerous chess leagues, and was rated by the U.S. Chess Federation. Jack was a Pittsburgh Pirates and Pitt football super fan. He also was the co-founder of the Mon Valley Youth Soccer Association and chaired and ran the annual Charleroi Holiday Basketball Tournament for many years. He played soccer for Charleroi High School and was a three-year letterman and top scorer his senior year, earning all WPIAL honors. He was inducted in the Charleroi High School Hall of Fame in 1991. He played for the Dunlevy Senior Redbirds from age 18 until his late 20s. He was a head coach from 1987-91 of the Elizabeth Forward High School Girls soccer team, was an assistant coach for the Charleroi High School girls soccer and was the Western Pennsylvania alternate rep for the 1967 Pan American Games in the under-19 division. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 27½ years, Peggy MacPherson Jacobs; two sons and daughters-in-law, John W. “Pic” and Rachel Jacobs of Charleroi, Bryan and Michele Jacobs of Dunlevy; a daughter-in-law, Sandy Jacobs of Speers; a brother, Randy Jacobs of Dunlevy; a sister, Sherry (Tim) Mouyard of Charleroi; two grandchildren, Zach Shulock of Denver, Colo., and Jack Jacobs of Speers; a goddaughter, Marisa Laskey; two brothers-in-law, Scott (Annette) MacPherson and Tom (Barbara) MacPherson, all of Monongahela; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins. Due to COVID-19 concerns, private services were held in the funeral home with the Rev. Beverly Gross officiating. A public celebration of life will be held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 700 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon, 724-929-5300, www.FergusonFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.
