Jacob Louis Rosenbloom

My deepest sympathy in your great loss. Jake will be missed by many who remember him for his integrity and his always pleasing smile. I remember from a young girl shopping downtown and later in life shopping at the Tarrytown location. Perhaps my fondest memory of Jake would have to be seeing his deep love for you Jane. I will always remember him for the true gentleman he was. I will keep you, Robbie and Mollie in my prayers. Georgia Miller Phillips

Jake delivered trucks for our company later in his life and I always enjoyed listening to the stories he would tell me on our long trips back to Elm City. He will be missed.

Jane, Bobby, Mollie,and family, I’m not sure where to begin with my Jake memories as I feel that I could write an entire book. I have fond memories of Jake introducing me to popcorn and peanuts at Kress’ Dime Store and that became our Saturday afternoon ritual as a child. As I became older and the store moved from the landmark downtown location to Tarrytown, Jake introduced me to Zollie’s….Jake loved to go to Zollie’s for a sandwhich and coffee. Most of all, I remember all of the young people that came to work at Rosenbloom-Levy as high schoolcollege kids and leave to go out into the world as young men and women, myself included. The education that you received from Jake and George was more than any school could ever teach you or could prepare you for life. My daddy loved Jake as much as any of his brothers until the day he died and he always treasured his relationship with Jake as well as the family. Jake’s kindness and generosity was well known in Rocky Mount and beyond. Mollie was absolutely right when she said that you could not speak of Jake without speaking of daddy and vice versa. Jake loved family and that was always the first priority in his life and the joy of his life. I remember seeing Jake after retiring from the clothing business and he said that he had many accomplishments in his life, but that his family was by far his greatest accomplishment. Jake was certainly the salt of the Earth and believed in treating people the way that he wanted to be treated. I remember Jake bringing a piece of plywood one Sunday evening to Peace College and putting it under my mattress because I was having problems with a dorm bed…just another example of Jake’s love. Had I not grown up at the store I feel that I would be a different person and I know that the love between the Matthews and Rosenbloom families was mutual. As Jake’s journey ended January 1, 2012, and Stephen’s first child came into the world January 1, 2012, Olivia will certainly be taught of sharing this date with a man who had a heart of gold and the gift of gab. Bobby….you were right when you said that Jake could strike up a conversation with someone no matter where he was. For those wonderful grandchildren that called Jake Papa, you have been left such a legacy of one of the most well respected men that graced the streets of Rocky Mount. Be proud of your heritage and carry on the goodness and kindness that Jake Rosenbloom shared with so many people and was so admired for by his peers. Today, as I looked around at the people that came out to pay respect to Jake and to each of you, it was if I was looking at a Who’s Who of some of the most prominent business people and families of Rocky Mount…it was certainly well deserved and spoke volumes for the man that so many had the pleasure to call friend. My love to each of you, Natalie Matthews Webb

To Mrs. Rosenbloom and family, please accept my deepest condolences and my prayers. Mr. Rosenbloom was a true gentleman. He exuded optimism and made everyone around him more hopeful and feel better. He embraced life and was a fighter. His obituary nicely summarizes a life full of accomplishments, adventure, loved ones, and giving back to the community. It was an honor to have been able to take care of him. Dr. Brian Go