08/17/2007

RUSSELL M. JACOBS SOUTH BURLINGTON — Russell Marc “Rusty“ Jacobs, 56, died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home in South Burlington on Aug. 15, 2007. He was born in New York City on April 13, 1951, son of Bernard S. and Myra E. (Haspel) Jacobs. Russ fell in love with the Green Mountain State in 1969 when he came here to attend UVM and made Vermont his home after graduating. In 1981 he co-founded the band “Woods Tea Company.“ He will be remembered by his many friends and fans for his passion for music, his quick wit and humor, as well as his haunting pennywhistle solos and his fiery guitar playing. Rusty helped establish Henriette's Relief Project, which provides food and medicine to needy children in Democratic Republic of Congo. Russell was a loving husband to his wife, Donna, and a devoted father to his daughter, Katie. He genuinely had fun getting to know Katie's friends during the many wonderful and enriching field trips he organized over the years. He taught us all that it is OK for adults to play. He was also a kind and caring son, who spoke with his mother daily. Russell treated all those in the world around him with gentle kindness and respect. He will be greatly missed. He touched the hearts of many people, big and small, onstage and off, with his music, his humor, and his passion for helping hungry children in Africa. Russell is survived by his wife and companion of 32 years, Donna (Stewart) Jacobs; his daughter, Kathleen “Katie“ Grace Stewart Jacobs; his mother, Myra Swanson, all of South Burlington; his sister and her husband, Lisa Jacobs and Ronald Gedrim and their son, Robin Jacobs-Gedrim of Albuquerque, N.M.; a brotherin-law and his wife, George and Lisa Stewart of Morrisville and their sons, Robert and Michael; his aunt and uncle, Florence and Harvey Zeve of Pittsburgh, Pa.; several cousins; and his fellow musicians of Woods Tea Company, Howard Wooden and Michael Lussen. He was predeceased by Charles “Chip“ Chase, also a longtime member of the band. There will be a celebration in music and song to honor Russell's life at a later date. Graveside services will be held Monday, Aug. 20, at 11:30 a.m. in the Jeffersonville Cemetery in Jeffersonville. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Russell's memory to Henriette's Relief Project, 170 Chipman Park, Middlebury, Vermont 05753. Funeral arrangements by Boucher and Pritchard Funeral Directors.