Arthur Frank Jacobson

Arthur F. “Art” Jacobson, 99, died at his residence in Port St. Lucie, Florida on June 10, 2024, after a brief illness. Art was born near Dixonville, Indiana County, Pennsylvania on December 7, 1924, to Frank and Edith (Lupke) Jacobson. He grew up in Western Pennsylvania and was drafted at the age of 18 by the U.S. Army in 1943. He served as a combat infantryman for the 83rd Infantry Division in World War II from July 1944 in Normandy, France until he was seriously wounded in March 1945 in Germany. During his service, Art was awarded the Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. In 2009, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor.

Art was honorably discharged from the Army in December 1945. In 1950, he met and married the love of his life, Marta, from Ciego de Avila, Cuba, and eventually had three children. Art and Marta were married for 67 years until her death in 2017. Art received training as a mechanical and piping designer and worked in various industries which included NASA, steel mills, paper mills, nuclear energy, and candy manufacturing. During their marriage, Art and Marta lived in various locations including Cuba, Ohio, Florida, Massachusetts, Georgia, and Alabama. They retired to Port St. Lucie in 1992.

During his retirement, Art enjoyed gardening, traveling, and working out three times a week at Planet Fitness where he socialized with his many friends and acquaintances until shortly before his death. Art was a member of the 83rd Infantry Division Association, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Legion Post 318, and a faithful member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Jensen Beach. In 2019, Art experienced a major highlight of his life when he returned to Europe for the first time since the war to participate in the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. Art has also attended numerous reunions of the 83rd Infantry Division Association.

Art is survived by his three children, Arthur Jr. (Debbie), Heidi (James), and Edward; six grandchildren, Heather, Michael, Kristen, Stephen, Trey, and William; two great-grandchildren, Haleigh and Sieanna; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, seven siblings, and his granddaughter, Rebecca.

Visitation will be held at Aycock at Tradition, Port St. Lucie, on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Jensen Beach, on Thursday, June 27 at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at South Florida National Cemetery, Lake Worth, at 1:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.