Paul W. Jacobs, 84, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 after a long illness.
Son of the late Jean and Elanore (LaFleur) Jacobs, he was born in Eijelshoven, The Netherlands on August 7, 1930, one of five children. His siblings all survive in Holland.
Paul began his education in Maastricht. He earned his master's degree in electrical engineering in Delft, and later proudly served as a Captain in The Royal Dutch Army.
He married Mieke Tilmans in 1956, and during their 58 year marriage had five children and thirteen grandchildren: Joyce Jacobs (Wyatt); Inge Jacobs (Inneke, Paul, Sam); Monique & Mike Batty (Ben, Ross, Jake, Max); Eric & Rowena Jacobs (Emma, Nicholas); and Yolanda & Eric Reimer (Cole, Maddox, Hayes).
Paul emigrated with Mieke in 1956 and lived in Montreal for one year before settling in New York State. He worked as an engineer for 36 years, most recently at I.B.M. from which he retired in 1992. After his retirement as an engineer, he spent one year teaching English in Shenzen, China and then for several years working as a consultant, translating international patent applications to the U.S. Patent Office. He loved this last work particularly because he was able to use his technical and foreign language expertise.
He was fluent in seven languages and most recently spent his free time studying Chinese. He was an avid traveler and always enjoyed exploring and learning about new places and cultures. Paul was known for his strength and determination and for his belief in living life to the fullest. He loved bicycling, including his solo treks across Spain, France, Portugal, Switzerland, and Greece; and hiking throughout the Alps, including his ascent of Mont Blanc. Paul also enjoyed spending his free time doing woodworking, gardening, and studying.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hudson Valley Hospice, 374 Violet Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601; www.hvhospice.org.
Arrangements are under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. For online tributes and memorial donations, please visit Paul's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.