Massapequa Park trustee Harry Jacobson dies

Massapequa Park Village Trustee Harry Jacobson gave generously of his time and energy, volunteering so fervently that several colleagues Wednesday said they drew inspiration from his legacy of service.

Jacobson died Tuesday at age 89 of heart failure triggered by a fall, his widow said.

"He was unbelievable, one in a million," Jessica Jacobson, his wife of 67 years, said. "He was a very caring person who put everybody before himself."

Harry Jacobson served as village trustee since 2001 and was a member of the zoning board of appeals from 1990 to 1999.

"Massapequa Park is going to be a lesser place because he is no longer here," Mayor James Altadonna Jr. said. "Throughout his life, he served others. We can only aspire to be as good as Harry."

Altadonna Wednesday called Jacobson a visionary, perhaps a poignant term because he donated many of his retirement years to helping the blind.

He was active with the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc. in Smithtown and was a "champion" of the Vacation Camp for the Blind in Rockland County, according to Jacobson's friend, John Kraft.

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Jacobson co-founded the Massapequa Park chapter of the Lions Club 56 years ago, said Kraft, now its president.

"I could never aspire to do that much civic work, that much political work, that much charitable work -- all while being retired," Kraft, 68, of Massapequa Park, said. "That's why he's a hero to me."

Jacobson's garage is full of thousands of pairs of eyeglasses that he asked Lions Club members to donate to those in need, Kraft said. The eyeglasses will eventually reach their intended destination, Kraft said.

Jessica Jacobson said the man she had three children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren with "was loved and loved everybody."

Altadonna said the last thing on his mind is tackling the "nearly impossible" task of replacing Jacobson as trustee, but that an appointment would likely be made.

Besides his wife, Jacobson is survived by sons Michael, of Spring, Texas, and Douglas, of Dallas, and daughter Sandra, of Aventura, Fla.

Services will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday at Massapequa Funeral Home's North Chapel.