GUILDERLAND — Howard F. Jacobson, an engineer who was committed to religious service, died at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 77.

Mr. Jacobson was a 1955 graduate of Guilderland High School and a 1962 graduate of Union College. 

He worked for 34 years as a civil engineer with the New York State Department of Transportation and then as an engineer for Vollmer Associates.

After his retirement, he and his wife were in charge of the Guilderland Interfaith Council Food Pantry for seven years; he was also the secretary/treasurer for the Prospect Hill Cemetery Association for seven years. 

He was a long-time member of the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church and served as an elder. 

“Jake was an avid hunter and enjoyed many seasons out in the woods with family and friends,” wrote his family in a tribute.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lynda; his children, Judy Reed, and her husband, Terry, Janice Jacobson and Adam Meyers, Daniel Jacobson, Michael Jacobson, and Mark Jacobson, and his wife Dawn, all of Altamont, and Laura Malvey, and her husband, Tom, of Virginia.

He is also survived by his two sisters, Betty Bluto and Marilyn Kaddarras; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Marilyn and Henry Rausch and Dick and Sharon Finch; his uncle and aunt, Willard and Andrea Ebert; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, including Bob and Joe Jacobson; and many cousins.

His parents, Howard and Glendora Jacobson, died before him, as did his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Jane Jacobson.

The family expresses heartfelt thanks for all of the care Mr. Jacobson received from Dr. Dudek, his staff at New York Oncology Hematology, and Community Hospice. “Special thanks to Lindsey, Nettie, and Anna for all of the compassion and care they gave him for the last three months,” his family wrote.

A service was held on Monday, Sept. 28, at the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church. Arrangements were by the DeMarco Stone Funeral Home in Guilderland.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Prospect Hill Cemetery, Post Office Box 50, Guilderland, NY 12084 or to the Hamilton Union Presbyterian Church, 2291 Western Avenue, Guilderland, NY 12084.