Walter Ira Jacoby

WALTER IRA JACOBY December 3, 1929 - October 19, 2017 Walt was born in Orange, New Jersey, to Raymond and Myrtle Jacoby.  He and Joan met at Silver Bay Conference Center, on Lake George in New York, married in 1952, and honeymooned on Lake Champlain in Vermont.  They have vacationed there with family almost every summer during the past 65 years. Walt graduated from Moorestown Friends School and Lafayette College and earned a Master’s degree in Organizational Development from American University.   He served as 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Korea. He followed in his father’s footsteps with a YMCA career from 1954-1988 in New York, New Jersey, Ohio, West Virginia, and Beirut, Lebanon.  After retiring from the YMCA, he pursued a career in non-profit fundraising with American City Bureau, participating in campaigns including Kiwanis International, Aquinas College, Wolfson Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House in Jacksonville, Florida.   Walt and Joan joined the Penney Farms Retirement Community in 1999 where he served on the board for 18 years.  Walt was actively involved with PET at Penney Farms and served on the Mobility Worldwide (PET) international board. He was a Guardian ad Litem volunteer in Florida for many years.  His passion for volunteering included hosting and counseling international students with Youth for Understanding, the Rescue Squad in Hague, NY, and YMCA World Service. Walt had a life-long love of the outdoors that began when he was a young boy when his father was camp director.  He loved swimming, biking, sailing, and camping throughout his life.  He was always enthusiastic about music, playing the trumpet and handbells, leading camp songs, singing joyfully in church, and attending concerts. Walt and Joan have had a passion for travel and learning about other cultures.  They organized and led YMCA cultural exchange trips to China.  They enjoyed traveling to over 30 countries on 5 continents, often with family and friends. Above all, Walt was a family man and family for Walt had no limits.  Countless people have described Walt as a father figure including friends, colleagues, neighbors, and international contacts.  Walt and Joan have four children and their spouses: Susan Jacoby and Susan Baumgardner, Gail and Dave Orser, Nancy and James Aman, and Russell and Barbara Jacoby.  They have five grandchildren:  Christopher and Matthew Jacoby, Joshua, Timothy, and Beth Anne Aman. Walt is survived by his brothers, Raymond and Roger.  He is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Sarah. In lieu of flowers please consider remembering Walt by giving to the Ray Jacoby Campership Endowment at Camp Abnaki in North Hero, Vermont, or the charity of your choice.  Ray was Walt’s father, and every year this fund allows kids to go to camp, who would never have the opportunity.   For the Camp Abnaki Jacoby Campership Endowment write checks to:   Ray Jacoby Endowment Fund, put Walt Jacoby in the memo line.   Mail to:   Burlington YMCA, 266 College, St., Burlington, VT 05401   Or go online to: https://www.gbymca.org/online-forms/abnaki-kids-to-camp-campaign/   Where it gives you the option to honor someone put in:   Walt Jacoby-  Ray Jacoby Campership Endowment