PORTLAND – Richard Alan Jacobs, 67, passed away peacefully at home with his family on May 8, 2021.

He was born in Portland on June 29, 1953 to William E. Jacobs and Irene (Ratliff) Souza. A near lifelong resident of Bancroft Street, he attended local schools and was particularly close to his maternal grandparents, Clarence and Ida Ratliff, whom he lived with growing up. Upon leaving school Rick went to work, ultimately settling at Data General in Westbrook where he remained until the plant’s closure. He then went to work for himself providing handyman, snow plowing, and lawn care services to customers throughout Portland.

Rick was happiest when fixing or making things. He could often be found in his workshop or garage fixing up items around the house or helping his kids build school projects or work on their cars. No project was too big or too small, including lifting the garage so the truck would fit inside, or building a new shed to house the growing selection of lawn tractors and other equipment. He always had his Leatherman at the ready and if there was another tool you needed you could find it in his workshop. He built furniture for the house, including the multi-leafed kitchen table he continuously expanded in order to accommodate his growing family’s gatherings. Countless dinners and card games have been held around his table.

Rick was known in his neighborhood for growing a large vegetable garden in his backyard, tapping trees for syrup making (cooked on a boiler tinkered together of his own design), and doing the house up for the holidays. Rosemont children of the ’90s will likely remember Rick transforming the entire yard and facade of his house into the spookiest haunted house for Halloween, complete with sound and light effects and props he crafted himself. His beloved pickup truck was always adorned with a pumpkin covering the roof light during this season, and when Christmas rolled around a large Santa appeared atop the garage and the house was decked out with lights.

When his health required scaling back his handyman business, Rick began part-time work at BJs in Portland, a job he enjoyed for nearly 10 years. He particularly liked being at the store in December, when small children noticed his red hat and white beard and assumed he must be Santa, an accusation he neither confirmed nor denied. Having always enjoyed road trips, especially to visit family in upstate New York, Rick and his wife Kristine also began taking trips by rail, visiting family in Washington D.C. and Virginia and exploring the Midwest. A highlight was taking the train to Chicago and continuing by car to Moline, Ill. to visit the John Deere headquarters- Disneyland for Rick. After all, a favorite activity was giving his grandkids John Deere tractor rides around the neighborhood.

Rick is loved and will be missed by his wife of 32 years, Kristine Jacobs; mother, Irene Souza; sister, Cathy Duchesneau and partner Nelson Belisle all of Portland; his children, Brett Jacobs and wife Wendy of Windham, Kristian Jackson and fiancée Heather of King George, Va., Wesley Jacobs and wife Abby of Windham, Morgan Jackson and wife Danielle of Gray, daughter, Kate Jacobs of Saco; grandchildren, Samantha, Tyler, Quinn, and Corbin Jacobs, Alexandria, Hannah, Jonathan, and Avery Jackson, Austin and Brett Palmer; great-grandsons, Carter Jacobs and Calvin Jackson; extended family including favorite in-laws in upstate New York, his friends and special neighbors.

Rick’s family would like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine for their care and support.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, May 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. at A.T. Hutchins, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland. Rick’s family would like all who attend to dress casually in honor of Rick. CDC guidelines including mask wearing and social distancing will be observed.

To share memories of Rick or to leave the family an online condolence please visit, http://www.athutchins.com

In lieu of flowers If friends or family desire donations can be made to

Hospice of Southern Maine.

390 US-1,

Scarborough, ME 04074

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