Roland “Rollie” A. Jacobs, 86, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 16, 2014.
Raised in Hempstead, New York, Rollie’s long career in sportscasting began as an avid athlete, baseball player, and high school sportswriter. After serving in the US Navy at the end of WWII, he worked at the NY Daily News, where he decided that the future was in broadcasting. During this time, he was also invited to two tryouts with the P
hiladelphia Phillies baseball team. In 1951 Rollie began his first job in broadcasting as DJ at WFIN in Ohio, and later worked in radio in Newport, RI and Patchogue, NY. In 1957, he was hired at WWLPin Springfield, MA as sports caster and later sports director, a job he performed with enthusiasm and dedication until his retirement in 1984. After retirement, he remained active in the sports community announcing races at Riverside and Stafford Springs Speedways, emceeing many sports events, playing golf and helping numerous charitable and sports organizations.
In spite of his local high profile, Rollie was always a humble man, dedicated to his church, family and community. Rollie is survived by his wife Eleanor “Elly” (nee Schrank) of 62 years, children Patricia Voyer, Kathy Gamache, and Roland and their spouses.He also leaves six grandchildren; Scott and Lynn Gonyer, Katherine and Ariana Voyer, and Shelby and Jackson Jacobs, and three great-grandchildren; Mia Gonyer, and Christopher and Sarah Gonyer.
A Memorial Public Gathering for Rollie will be held on August 17, 2014 from 1:30 to 5:30 at the Firtion Adams Funeral Home, 76 Broad Street, Westfield. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be written to CSF Westfield Dollars for Scholars, (ATTN: Rollie Jacobs Memorial Scholarship) P.O. Box 382, Westfield, MA 01086 or Grace Lutheran Church, 1552 Westfield St. West Springfield, MA 01089. For more information, visit www.firtionadams.com.
