Thomas L. "Big Jake" Jacobsen

Thomas L. “Big Jake” Jacobsen, 94, of Camillus, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on Thursday. A lifetime resident of the Syracuse area, he was employed at Dorco. for over 40 years as an overhead door salesman before retiring in 1992. Thomas enjoyed retirement in Arizona and Florida before moving back to the Syracuse area. He was a United States Navy veteran who enlisted during WWII at 18 years of age. Thomas was a member of the Elks Club and enjoyed playing cards, golf, and shooting pool. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends and having a cocktail. He considered himself a “very lucky man.”

Thomas is predeceased by his parents, Thomas H. and Gertrude; and first wife, Vernette.

Surviving are his beloved wife of 32 years, Bernice; children, Thomas E. (Cindy) Jacobsen of Camillus, Cynthia Schaap of Hastings, Karen (Dr. Kime) Ristoff of Syracuse, Denise (Lee) Burts, Michele (Dave) Bollig, Deb (Bill O’Donnell) Demers, Roy (Karen) Demers and Renee (Dan) Mahle; brother, William (Carol) Jacobsen of Syracuse; sister, Doris Hopper of Syracuse; 20 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may call Monday, August 15 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus. A funeral service will follow at noon at the funeral home.

Thomas will be laid to rest in White Chapel Memory Gardens, DeWitt.