Forrest Vandergrift "Spook" Jacobs
Of Milford, passed away Friday, February 18, 2011 at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford. He was 85.
Mr. Jacobs was born on November 4, 1925 in Cheswold, son of the late Edwin F. and Norma C. (Willey) Jacobs.
He graduated from Salem High School, Salem, New Jersey in 1943. Immediately after graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a Sergeant during World War II.
Upon return from his tour of duty, Mr. Jacobs played professional baseball for 17 seasons, playing for the Philadelphia Athletics, the Kansas City Athletics, the Pittsburgh Pirates and several minor league clubs in Cuba and Panama. He was a speedy second baseman, known for his aggressive style on the base paths and unique hitting style, which earned him the nickname "Spook". On opening day 1954, Spook had four base hits in his first four major league at bats. He was a superb contact hitter, striking out only 4% of his total plate appearances.
He is a member of seven Sports Hall of Fames - Delaware Baseball, Columbus Ohio, Cuban Baseball, Eastern Shore, Delaware, South Jersey and Salem County (NJ).
After his baseball career ended, Spook and his wife Bobbie settled in Milford where they owned and operated the Milford Bus Center then Mr. Donut/Donut Connection over a span of 42 years before retiring.
One of his proudest achievements was when his personal stamp collection was featured in 2008 at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
Mr. Jacobs was a member of the Milford Lions Club, a long time member of the former Milford Kiwanis Club, a member of the Blue Hen VFW Post #6483 in Milford, the Milford Rotary Club, where he organized the annual Sports Banquet for 11 years, the American Legion Post #3 in Milford, and the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society.
Spook also coached baseball at Del Tech and the Milford Little League.
He was a devoted member of the Avenue United Methodist Church in Milford.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Bobbie Jacobs in 2010, a son Tommy Jacobs, a granddaughter, Dominique Nicole Jacobs and a brother, Edwin Jacobs.
He is survived by a son, Robert Forrest Jacobs; a granddaughter, Ashley Monique Jacobs of El Paso, TX; a great grandson, Thomas Vincent Jacobs Wesley of El Paso; a sister-in-law, Shirley Orren of Abilene, TX and several cousins, nephews and nieces.
Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, February 25, 2011 at the Avenue United Methodist Church, 20 N. Church St, Milford.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at the church.
Burial will follow in the Milford Community Cemetery on Route 113.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions to Avenue United Methodist Church, 20 N. Church St, Milford, DE, 19963 or to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE, 19963.
(02/22/11)