Page created by: The family of Michael Jacobs

Michael was a great person, loved unconditionally by family and friends.

Upon hearing of his passing, one of his colleagues said, "one of the luckiest things to ever happen to me was having Mike for a boss. He was for more than a colleague-- he was a friend, an example, and the epitome of a mensch". Michael was a gentle, sensitive soul who loved to share his vast intelligence and sense of humor with those around him. Despite having graduated with honors from Cooper Union and then MIT, working as a Civil Engineer for the government for many many years, his real passion was the theatre. His retirement dream was to act and direct in community theatre.

Instead, he spent the last 20 years battling horrible Parkinson's Disease. But he was incredible, instead of being bitter he chose a positive attitude. He never felt sorry for himself, kept his brain sharp by not only winning but obliterating everyone he played in scrabble. Up until a few months ago he lived independently, and didn't let his Parkinson's hold him back until the disease caused a fall which incapacitated him. Even afterwards, knowing he would now have to go into assisted living, he kept his spirits up until the very end.

Those of us who knew and loved him are so proud of the way fought the end for *his* wishes. He knew what he wanted, how he wanted it and made sure that is how things happened. He never let the Parkinson's win.

A thespian to the end, Michael changed the script directed the play, and rewrote the ending the way he wanted it.

Please donate in his name so that maybe we will one day find a cure and others won't have to suffer this horrible disease.