Jacob Joseph Kokaly, Jr.

Jacob Joseph Kokaly, Jr met the Lord on June 28, 2025, as the afternoon sun shined brightly on him. He passed away quietly with Lisa & Joe Bousquet at his side, while other friends visited him. His family remained vigilant in spirit and prayer.

Born in Eveleth, Minnesota on March 27, 1928. Son of the late Mr. & Mrs. Jacob Kokaly, Sr. of Eveleth Minnesota predeceased by Delores Butler - Sister, along with his wives Bridget MacDonald, Grace Mulcahy, Ruth Stout, and Janet Casey. Survived by his sister Marge Thorpe, his children, extended family members and friends.

Jacob attended Lincoln and Lincoln Annex Elementary Schools and Eveleth Junior and Senior High Schools, graduating in June 1945. He completed Radio Courses at Northwest Radio Television Institute in Minneapolis, Minnesota, receiving a Restricted Radio operating license in January 1946.

Jacob joined the United States Marine Corps in August 1946 and served thru March 1949. He was a proud Marine who loved his country and all the fortunes it gave to him and his family. Upon his discharge he attended Eveleth Junior College earning an associate degree in 1951. He then attended Saint Cloud State College graduating in 1953 with a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education.

Jacob was a career educator starting in 1953 teaching fourth, fifth and sixth graders at McKinley Elementary School of the Independent School District in Gilbert, Minnesota. He was also the school's teaching principal from 1953 to 1964. Jacob's career and family moved to New Jersey where he taught from 1964 to 1988. He taught at Riverside Elementary in Princeton, Burnt Hill, and Orchard Elementary Schools in Montgomery Township. He moved to Montgomery High School, ending formal teaching in 1988. He educated children for 35 years teaching grades 4th through 11th. He substituted for 15 years once retired or 50 years as an educator.

Jacob was a lifetime learner attending summer institutes sponsored by the NSF and NDEA at the University of South Dakota, Bowling Green State University in Pennsylvania, SUNY at Cortland in New York, and College of St. Elizabeth in New Jersey. He received an M.A. Degree in Special Education from The College of New Jersey, formerly Trenton State College.

He also took leadership roles in Montgomery Township, Somerset County, NJ, and the National Education Associations. Additionally, he was a member of New Jersey's Mathematics and National Council of Mathematics Associations. His dedication to our country continued with him being a member of Newport, Vermont's American Legion. A great tribute to Dad was being in Newport's 2022 July 4th parade as a veteran.

He believed God was part of his life with lifelong membership with various churches. He was a third-degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Eveleth, Minnesota, and served in Choir Ministry at First Assembly of God. Jacob was a frequent editorial contributor to the Newport Daily Express and Caledonian Record. He had keen insights into life and a passion for the greatness of America that he shared throughout the years with his editorial.

Jacob, a devoted family person, accumulated a wealth of memories through his marriages. Bridget MacDonald was his true love. Together they created a family of five children- Jean, James, June, Joy and Jon. These children made life special with memories. When Bridget passed away, Jacob later married Grace, Ruth, and Janet, all of whom predeceased him. Jacob had a generational influence on the Mulcahy, Stout and Casey families. Jacob's enduring smile left an impression on everyone he met. We want to thank North County Hospital, Bel-Aire Nursing Home, caregivers Cheryl & Glenn Saaman, neighbor Allan Bishop, and the endless others for compassionate care given to Dad. We will miss Dad but have a lifetime of memories to cherish.

Friends may call from 10:00 A.M. until the hour of the funeral at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday August 23, 2025 at the Life in Christ Fellowship Church, in Newport. Jacob will spend eternity with the mother of his children, Bridget MacDonald-Kokaly, in Gilbert, Minnesota. Dad requested in lieu of flowers, please donate in his name to Life in Christ Fellowship Church, PO Box 1114, Newport, Vermont 05855. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home & Cremation Service, locally family owned and operated.