Ronald M. Jacoby, 88, of Rock Island, formerly of South Dennis, Mass., passed away peacefully on January 5, 2023, at Friendship Manor's Silver Cross Nursing Center.

Ron was born on June 1, 1934, in Rockville Center on New York's Long Island to Elliott and Anna (Schenberg) Jacoby. He was born into a show biz family. His mother was a singer, his father a musician, and his older brother Frank an actor as well as a film and television producer. Young Ronnie (as he was known then) followed the family business.

By the time he turned 14, Ron had been in three Broadway shows, including one lead. He also performed in regional theaters, tours, and on radio.  He appeared on an episode of Kraft Television Theater in 1953, the first of four years it was nominated for an Emmy Award as best dramatic program, an episode that co-starred James Dean.  He counted Oscar winner Martin Landau among his friends.  Later, he added directing to his resume, and was the Artistic Director of the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Civic Theater, the South Bend (Ind.) Civic Theatre, and the York (Pa.) Little Theater.

Ron met the love of his life, Linn, in the 70s at Sister Lakes Playhouse, MI. They were married in 1979. Each had three children from previous marriages. Linn passed away last January.  They are survived by six children, John (Ellen) Macdonald, Laurie (Steve) Reeder, Bob (Maryann) Macdonald, Dan Jacoby, Ken (Sarah) Jacoby, and Jessica (Peter) Troell, and ten grandchildren, scattered from New England to the Midwest to Zimbabwe.  Ron and Linn's ashes will be scattered together at their beloved family vacation spot, Purity Spring Resort in Madison, New Hampshire.

In Ron's memory, please support your local theater.