William Leo Jacques' Obituary
William Leo (Bill) Jacques, 92, of Rockville, MD, passed away on July 29, 2019 surrounded by family. A few days prior, Bill suffered a stroke while vacationing at his beloved Broadkill Beach, DE residence.
Bill leaves behind a legacy and a devoted family. He leaves his wife of 58 years, Rosalie (DeLong) Jacques; his daughter Colleen (Jacques) Callis, of Damascus, MD and her husband John Callis; son William DeLong Jacques, of Bethesda, MD and his wife Kimberle Dodd; and daughter Carla (Jacques) Rook, of Poolesville, MD, and former son-in-law Steven Rook. Bill has nine grandchildren who know their Pappy was the greatest: Meghan Colleen Callis, Zacharias John Callis, Paige Gwendolyn Callis, William Nathaniel Jacques, Lillian Isabella Jacques, Vivienne Margaret Jacques, Maggie Rose Rook, William Finn Rook, and Brady Steven Rook. He also leaves behind his brother Joseph Jacques of Stroudsburg, PA and his wife Millie; and sister-in-law Sherry (DeLong) Migliore, of Albuquerque, NM, and her husband Richard. Bill was uncle to countless nieces and nephews who will miss his presence in the family.
Bill was born February 21, 1927 in Vandling, PA to Frances and William Jacques. Bill had two sisters, Bernardene and Rita (both deceased), and two brothers, Robert (deceased) and Joseph. Bill graduated from Vandling High School and at the age of 17 joined the United States Navy as a Seabee during World War II. Bill was a veteran of the Pacific War. After returning from WWII, Bill studied lithography, which became his life-long trade. He and his family settled in East Stroudsburg, PA and later Stroudsburg, PA. In 1959, he met Rosalie and two years later they were married. They moved from Pennsylvania to Rockville, MD in 1961 where they created a home and family.
Bill’s greatest joy was his family. He was proud of the accomplishments of all three of his children and nine grandchildren. Whatever his children were doing, Bill was always there cheering them on and supporting their ambitions. He was a very involved Pappy, who was always interested in his grandchildren's grades at school, their accomplishments in the classroom and their successes in the pool or theatre or on the field, mat, or court. Bill was a story-teller and fortunately, those stories will live on when his grandchildren tell the stories of Herb and Henrietta Stutz, Paddy O’Toole, and Pappy’s pet alligator.
Bill was an avid Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies, and Notre Dame fan. He enjoyed talking sports and politics with anyone who would listen. He was proud of his Anglo-Irish heritage, a man of faith and a devout Catholic. He lived a faith-based life which was passed down to him from his mother and father.
During his lifetime, Bill was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Rockville, MD, the Pennsylvania German Society, the Lyons Fire Company, and was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to the Make a Wish Foundation (Bill’s favorite charity) in Bill’s name.
A Catholic Mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Rockville, MD at 10:30AM on Friday, August 9, 2019. The church is located at 4101 Norbeck Rd., Rockville, MD. A celebration luncheon of Bill’s life will immediately follow at Manor Country Club; 14901 Carrolton Rd., Rockville, MD. A military burial will take place at a later date at Hope Cemetery in Fleetwood, PA (in the village of Dryville).
We know Bill is in Heaven reuniting with his beloved family members, drinking Manhattans, dancing a Polka or a Jig, arguing about politics, catching Notre Dame games on Saturdays, and watching over the loved ones he left behind.
Please sign Bill's online guestbook located on this site.
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