Lawrence Jude Jacobson

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On Monday, August 29, 2022, Lawrence “Larry” Jude Jacobson passed away peacefully in his sleep in his home in Weston, FL, at the age of 69. His untimely passing has left a huge hole in the hearts of those who dearly loved him. He is survived by his parents Alfred and Grace, younger sister Christine Cotler, younger brother Eric, niece and nephew Lauren and Raymond Stark, ex-wife Diane, step-daughter Cara Tester, daughter Samantha, and son Matthew. 

Born on May 17, 1953, in Brooklyn, NY, Larry spent most of his early years in Staten Island, NY, developing the intellect, curiosity, and charisma that later served as the hallmarks of his personality. He read almost as often as he breathed, and when he wasn’t solving detective mysteries, exploring ancient Greece, or traveling to faraway planets within his favorite books, he was playing the drums or adventuring outdoors with his neighborhood friends. 

As a teenager, Larry furthered his passion for music and the performing arts. He took the ferry to New York City frequently, watching plays, attending concerts, and soaking in the culture with his pals Tommy, Dennis, and Joan. He grew out his hair, went to Woodstock, and rode around on his Harley-Davidson Softail. He toured Europe with Tommy, visiting London, Amsterdam, and more. He danced at Studio 54 during the height of disco, and if the right song came on at the right time, he’d show you he never forgot the moves.   

While his social battery and yearning for travel seemed inexhaustible, Larry nevertheless kept up his studies. After earning an A.A. in Philosophy and English from Staten Island Community College (‘72), Larry graduated magna cum laude from SUNY Oswego with a B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science (‘74). He received his J.D. from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1977 and began his career as an associate litigation maritime attorney at Haight, Gardner Poor & Havens (now merged with Holland & Knight) in New York City. Afterward, he spent over twenty years working for Thomas Miller Americas as a global claims mitigator for protection and indemnity insurance for marine vessels and ascended the ranks to become Senior Vice President of their South Florida office. For the final two decades of his career, he worked as general counsel at Future Care, a company founded by his dear friend Christina DeSimone.  

Practicing law gave Larry the opportunity to match wits with worthy opponents and apply his formidable intelligence to the crafting of well-reasoned arguments both written and verbal. He was well-suited to the work, passing his bar exams in California, New York, and Florida all on the first try. His many trips to Greece to meet shipowners convinced him that he had a Mediterranean soul at heart. He especially enjoyed litigation and longed to return to the courtroom one day. He planned to volunteer his expert skills upon retiring to those who needed such services but could not afford them.

In his final years, Larry enjoyed appreciating nature in his backyard and spending time with his son. Because of a pact to remain equally ignorant in the ways of chess, the pair were evenly matched and fought over many epic games. They cooked, fished, bicycled, hiked, hung out with mutual friends, and shared many honest, heartfelt conversations that brought them closer than ever before.  

Those who knew Larry will remember his quick wit, booming laughter, and penchant for narrative. A master storyteller, Larry could turn any conversation into a three-act extravaganza, and thanks to his world travels, larger-than-life personality, impeccable recollection, and fine-tuned comedic timing (the “Jacobson sense of humor”), he had no shortage of engaging material. Ultimately, he wanted those around him to enjoy his company and to be able to contribute to the fullness of their lives. Nothing delighted him more than the happiness of those he loved.