Remembering Bob Jacob

In Grateful Memory of Bob Jacob Executive Director of CFCS

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” Galatians 5:22

How well these words describe Bob Jacob. As we sadly acknowledge his sudden passing, we remember so many wonderful things about Bob. Bob Jacob was our leader, our boss, our coworker and our friend. We celebrate his life and all that he has done for us and for Catholic Family & Community Services: Catholic Charities in our mission to serve those most in need.

Bob Jacob came to Catholic Family & Community Services 37 years ago and planned on staying for a couple of years. Those few years became his lifetime commitment. Bob had degrees in Finance and Law, but, as one staff member said, “Bob was a social worker at heart”, and he was a Licensed Social Worker in NJ.

Bob joined CFCS in October 1985 as a Controller, and was promoted to the position of Chief Financial Officer and Associate Executive Director in October 1986. Bob was also the Chief Financial Officer of Secretariat for Social Ministries of the Diocese of Paterson until June 2018. While at CFCS, Bob has overseen the financial operations of the agency throughout its many changes. He has served as the Vice President the Catholic Charities USA C.A.R.E. Committee for 15 years. In November 1994, the Board of Directors of CFCS recognized him with an award in honor of his outstanding contribution to the agency and the people it serves. He also received the Caritas Award in 2014. Bob was appointed as the Executive Director of CFCS in 2019.

Bob loved the agency and all it stood for. He proudly proclaimed our work. Over all those years, he believed and lived our mission to help the most vulnerable by careful stewardship of our resources, looking for new ways to finance our programs, and above all supporting and caring for our staff and our clients. As many of you know, he often took a personal interest in some special cases and followed them with the staff. Bob certainly followed the Gospel mandate.

Reading: Matthew 25:31-40
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, “I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” The Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

Bob was a kind, gentle and soft spoken man. He only talked a lot when you got him on certain subjects; then he could wax eloquently detail by detail. In many ways his mind was like a computer. He knew in-depth the history of the agency and those staff, benefactors and individuals who had supported the agency. Sadly, some of those wonderful memories leave us with Bob.

Bob was always a professional and always impeccably dressed. He respected the work CFCS does and worked to make sure that it would continue to meet the growing needs.

Above all, Bob was a faith filled man. He lived his life according to values and principles based in the trust of a loving God.

We ask God’s blessing on Bob as God welcomes him with loving arms and says, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Your efforts to embody the Beatitudes have given life, hope and peace to thousands. We have prepared a place of honor for you.”

Let us pray: Our response is: Lord, hear our prayer!
We pray for Bob’s family, his wife Mary, his children, Lisa, Jonathan, Sarah, his grandchildren Ava and Andrew, Tom Verghese and all their family. He loved them all and was so proud of them. May they find peace in knowing what a wonderful man Bob was and how much he was loved by so many. Let us pray: Resp.

We pray for CFCS and CC, may all who knew Bob take comfort in knowing that he was our leader, our team member and our friend. May we always remember him in the ways he touched us both personally and professionally. May we will keep his spirit among us by our kind, compassionate care of one another and our clients. Let us pray: Resp.

As we share his memories, let us realize that we are sharing his new found joy and reward in heaven.

Viewing Service:
Friday, June 17, 2022 from 4:00pm – 9:00pm India Christian Assembly of New Jersey 315 State Street, Hackensack NJ 07601

Funeral Service:
Saturday, June 18, 2022, 9:00am India Christian Assembly of New Jersey 315 State Street, Hackensack NJ 07601

Interment (immediately after Funeral Service):
Maple Grove Park Cemetery 535 Hudson Street, Hackensack NJ 07601

Donate in Bob's memory at www.ccpaterson.org/donate.