Loving, brave, artistic, strong, wild
Jon was the epitome of a beautiful man, both inside and out. He had a strong stature and a lovely smile and eyes, so it came as no surprise that his presence could fill a room, even if he didn’t know it.
Jon also had a big heart, and he loved his family with the best of it. He had four brothers: Tyler, Ian, Kaine, and Josh, and one sister, Kristal, whom he adored. Extremely protective of her, Jon even went so far as finding her at parties when she was young to bring her home safely, and Kristal would return the favor by remaining a constant support throughout his life. Cindy and Eric Jacob are his parents, and it was his mother who would eventually introduce him to his wife, Stephanie. The two quickly fell in love and married only six months later. Stephanie stuck with him through marital trials and substance use disorder hardships, and their dedication to each other gifted them with seven years together and a beautiful daughter before his passing. Stephanie was his rock, and Jon was her whole heart.
To Jon, his children Michael Jacob, Marcus Jacob, Mia Jacob, and stepdaughter Callie Medeiros were his biggest accomplishments, and he did everything possible to be with them. It seemed it was the one thing that his substance use disorder couldn’t affect, and he made time for them, even if that meant long walks or public transit trips.
Since school wasn’t Jon’s favorite, he completed his GED later in life and spent most of his energy pursuing what truly inspired him: masonry. Stonework was more than his job. It was his art, and he was brilliant at it. He worked meticulously, always knowing when something was just off and took great pride in his craft. This led him to construct beautiful buildings and campgrounds, and he even created a stunning monument depicting New Hampshire’s natural formation, the Old Man in the Mountain.
Jon didn’t just work in the outdoors though, he came alive there, and, like most aspects of his life, it wasn’t complete without his family. He loved swimming, fishing, and camping, and when his siblings would visit, they’d sit around the fire or catch up while swimming. Old Orchard Beach was one of his favorite spots, and his family recalled one fond visit where, after having a bit too much to drink, he ended up swimming out so far the Coast Guard went in after him. And who could forget his annual plunge into the local gem, Big Eddy Waterfall, every time winter thawed and made way for spring?
Joanne Moody, Jon’s grandmother, was influential in his early life. After all, she helped raise him, so in the future, he wanted to follow in her footsteps. She made her home a space for large family gatherings, and Jon hoped he could move away to a farm and bring the family together, just like her.
He never had the chance to live on a farm, but he did his best to ensure the family spent quality time together, and the countless memories they made are a testament to his love and the success of his efforts.
Jon’s wife, Stephanie Palmer, provided the information for this narrative. November 13, 1980-March 23, 2023–Age 42
Portrait Artist: Shawn Faust
Narrative Writer: Willow Kline
