Bruce Jacobs, longtime Gilroy city attorne, died in his home
Sunday afternoon following a lengthy illness. He was 77 years
old.
Bruce Jacobs, longtime Gilroy city attorne, died in his home Sunday afternoon following a lengthy illness. He was 77 years old.
Jacobs moved to Gilroy in 1953, opening a law practice that still bears his name. The man remembered for his sharp legal mind served as city attorney for 23 years, from 1968 until 1991, was instrumental in founding Gavilan College and helped drafted the city charter, adopted in 1960.
Jacobs was born in Oakland and grew up in San Jose, receiving his bachelor’s degree from University of California at Berkeley.
Following a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy during and after World War II, he received his law degree from University of San Francisco.
Jacobs boasted a long list of roles in the Gilroy community, including president of the Chamber of Commerce, member of the Planning Commission and trustee of the Gilroy Elementary School District. Jacobs was a Rotary member since 1954, serving two terms as president, and a member of Gilroy Elks Club since 1958. He was part of the citizens committee that drafted the Gilroy City Charter, adopted in 1960.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Jane; his brother, Ross Jacobs, of Saint Helena; children Tracy Jacobs of San Jose, Brian Jacobs of Saint Helena and Nancy Fleming of Portland, Oregon; and granddaughters, Alexandria and Sydney of Saint Helena.
The family asks that any donations be made to a favorite charity.
A memorial service took place Thursday at Gilroy Presbyterian Church.
