SOUTH POMFRET, VT — Jacob Jaglom, 94, passed away on March 23, 2021
He liked to say he had lived four lifetimes: in the Jewish community in Bialystok, Poland until escaping via Lithuania and the heroic righteousness of Japanese consul Chiune Sugihara; in Bombay, India for his teenage years as a star cyclist, swimmer and water polo player, before a four-month sea voyage to the U.S. for university; in this country before meeting the love of his life and wife of nearly seven decades, Irene Moore; and their life together.
His vitality and love of life had him skiing at Suicide Six until age 93 from his beloved South Pomfret, Vermont log cabin, to which he drove from NYC himself. He and Irene (before her death in 2017), spent most of their free time in Vermont, cultivating lifelong friendships, searching the woods for edible mushrooms, cooking fabulous meals, waterskiing on nearby lakes when their kids were young, tending their rustic garden, and generally loving the landscape that reminded them of the Russian and Polish landscapes of their past. In New York, Jack regularly attended opera, ballet, concerts, and theatre.
He imparted his values of honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct to all his family. An avid news junkie, he loved the country that welcomed him, and was relieved at the results of the recent election. Thankfully, despite the pandemic, he was able to spend extended periods with his family at their homes and on Fire Island and in Vermont during his last months.
He is survived by his devoted children Drew (wife Gail) and Leona (husband Robin), beloved grandchildren Peter (Nina), Wendy (Lawson), Sasha (Chelsea), and Benjy, step-granddaughter Gracie and great grandchildren Tommy and Maddie (Peter’s children) and Mikaela (Wendy’s daughter). He regretted that COVID kept him from meeting his great-granddaughters in person.
Donations in his name may be made to HIAS, the Museum of Jewish Heritage, or the Woodstock Ski Runners Educational Program. A memorial service will be held in due course, once friends and family can gather for a proper celebration of an extraordinary life.