Daniel Aaron Jacobius

Daniel Aaron Jacobius, affectionately known as “Dan the Man” age 61, formally of Carmel NY, passed away peacefully and quickly on November 4th in Winston Salem North Carolina.

Dan was born on September 16th, 1964, in Stamford Ct. to Dr. Francis “Michael” Jacobius and Mrs. Christa Jacobius. Because Dan’s father was starting his medical career his early childhood homes changed often in the downstate region of New York, Dan lived two years in Oklahoma, but the bulk of his youth occurred in Purdys, New York. From second grade through graduation of High School he attended school in North Salem, New York and upon graduation he attended and graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a BS in Chemistry.

Dan married Rhonda Brown on September 10th, 1994, and together they shared 31 years of marriage. Although they had no children of their own, they were blessed with ten nieces and nephews of whom he was very close, and they all loved Dan. Dan also celebrated the arrival of his first grandnephew this year.

Dan was a Financial Planner starting his career with Metlife in 1998, along the way he transitioned to Barnum Financial Group and retired in 2024. He earned the coveted CFP designation along with LUTCF and CLTC designation. He was active in his local Estate Planning Council as well as the Society of Financial Services Professionals holding leadership positions in both. By all accounts he was loved by his clients and his colleagues. He demonstrated empathy and compassion while providing authentic and sincere advice. As a professional he lived by the Golden Rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

When people think of Dan, the first thing which always comes to mind is his smile. He was born with it and even in his final days his smile was ever present as friends and relatives visited. Dan was an avid fisherman, fishing the reservoirs and rivers near his home. He loved baseball and more importantly the NY Mets, he was a devoted fan keeping track of his team almost daily. In Middle School he fell in love with running, and he was good at it, his specialty was cross country and the mile. In his Senior year he was one of the captains of his cross-country team. He earned a spot on his college cross country team and avidly followed the sport throughout his life. He could still recite all his best times and races years after he finished running. Boy Scouts left a positive impact on his life, not only in the leadership and life skills it imparted, but his enjoyment of hiking and camping.

Dan is survived by his wife, Rhonda Jacobius, his mother, Christa Jacobius, and his brother, David Jacobius. Also, all his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Kelly Jacobius, Toni & Henry Daisley, Peter Brown, Cliff and Tammie Brown, Esida Robinson, nieces and nephews: Allie and Matthew Brodie, Josh Jacobius, David Duncan, Jeromy and Keelia Cummings, Meira and Stuart Robertson, Dara Brown, Jada Brown, Daniel Duncan, Breena Robinson and Rodney Robinson, and grand-nephew Stokley. Dan was predeceased by his father, Francis Michael Jacobius, his paternal grandmother Margaret Jacobius, his in-laws Catherine Brown and Clifford Brown

Dan was diagnosed with Bulbar ALS in April 2024. Despite the hardships the illness brought, Dan never asked, “why me?”—a true reflection of his strength and spirit. He was determined to help others in the future who received this diagnosis to one day find a cure. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dan’s memory to his ALS website: www.teamdan64.com

In Dan’s own words: "I am very fortunate and have had a great life and I appreciate it."