Falls man, 92, killed by car
Neighbors: Crash victim had big heartBy MARLY KOSINSKI Tribune Chronicle
Article Photos
NEWTON TOWNSHIP - Andrew Jacob loved planes, trains and automobiles.
He built model airplanes, collected and crafted model train sets and spent some of his working years selling cars on the U.S. Route 422 strip in Warren.
On Tuesday, the 92-year-old was killed after he was struck by a car in front of his home at 3235 state Route 534, between the city limits and the Mahoning County line.
Jacob was walking from his mailbox about 8 a.m. when he was hit by a 1999 Saturn driven by Marion R. Coleman, 30, of Chester, W. Va., according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol said
"He was a great neighbor. I lived across from him for at least 20 years and I graduated from high school with his wife, Helen, in 1945," said William Carson, 3250 state Route 534.
Carson, 80, said Jacob had a basement filled with model trains and train sets. He also said Jacob would fly some of his remote control model airplanes outside.
"He was just like a big kid. Everyone loved Andy and he had such a big heart. He threatened to shoot me if I ever cut my pine trees down because they blocked the wind from his house," Carson recalled with a smile.
Todd Carson, William's son, said he saw Jacob cutting grass on his riding lawn mower Monday afternoon.
"He was still climbing on the roof in his 80s. I think he finally stopped doing that when he turned 90," he said.
The younger Carson said Jacob was pulling out of his driveway a few years ago when he was struck from behind by a speeding motorist, which pushed Jacob's car several houses away. He also said a high school football player riding a moped was killed in the early 1980s on the same stretch of the roadway.
"I wish they would knock the speed limit down. It's 55, but people go 70. Maybe if it was 45, they would actually go 55. There are crashes here all the time," Todd Carson said.
The Carsons are fifth-generation farmers and William Carson said he and Jacob would trade vegetables on occasion. He said he didn't see or hear the crash, but his daughter called to tell him about it because she lives next door. Shortly after her call, William Carson said he heard the ambulance sirens.
"I hope Helen is doing OK. I have known her since grade school and she's a real sweetheart. They were a great couple," he said.
Todd Carson said Jacob's 90th birthday party two years ago had to be held at the Newton Falls Community Center because there were so many people.
Bert Estlack, 71, said he has lived in his home at 3256 state Route 534 for about 35 years and the Jacobs moved in about five years after him. He said the two of them would assemble model railroads and trains together in Jacob's basement.
"When he got sick, I helped him around the house and cut his lawn. Some neighbors called me after the accident. I just can't believe it. He was one of my best friends," Estlack said.
In addition to his hobbies, Jacob also was active in the Kiwanis Club of Newton Falls. Club secretary Tom Palmer said Jacob was a member since 1972, serving several terms as president and once receiving the Hixon Award, which is the Kiwanis International highest honor.
In 2003, the Kiwanis Club of Newton Falls honored Jacob by renaming its annual Junior Olympics competition the Andy Jacob Kiwanis Junior Olympics. He was the event's co-founder and next May will be the 30th annual competition, which is an annual track and field day for city residents ages 6 to 12.
"He was chairman of that sort of forever," Palmer said.
Dr. Charles Verbanic of Dental Associates of Newton Falls said he knew Jacob for a long time, both as a patient and a community member.
"Our heart goes out to the Jacob family. It's a terrible tragedy," Verbanic said.
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FlashGordon
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10-02-08 12:29 AM
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What smokey said, our prayers to the family also!!
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anniemae
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10-02-08 12:24 AM
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Our loss is surely Heaven's gain. Sympathy to the family.
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EducateNF
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10-01-08 8:03 PM
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Andy was a wonderful person, my thoughts and prayers are with his family. He was a very giving person.
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smokey
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10-01-08 3:17 PM
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my prayers to the family!
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Pandora
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10-01-08 12:34 PM
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You don't hear about people like this anymore, involved in some many volunteer activities, strong in his old age, great neighbor...Wow! What a shame.
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jacobNF
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10-01-08 12:09 PM
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Thanks to all of the thoughts and prayers... our family is deeply saddened by our loss.
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oldgreenb
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10-01-08 11:55 AM
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this is a very sad article. drivers need to be more cautious when driving!! Bruskii- just stop posting, you're a moron.
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Billdog
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10-01-08 10:19 AM
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I'd be willing to bet Marion is a woman. Anyway what a sad event for so many. I pray for his family.
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virutalia
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10-01-08 9:52 AM
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What a terrible tragedy. We can only hope that the investigation is prompt, thorough, and objective. Prayers to the family and friends.
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bruskii
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10-01-08 9:06 AM
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hope they done field sobriety test on mr appalachia when he hits old guy .dude probably flying down road .poor old guy
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