He was born March 14, 1929, in Greenfield, Massachusetts, the son of Sarah and Rabbi Morris Nathanson. Jon grew up in the Biddeford/Saco area, he attended Colby College, and served in the U.S. Army.
In 1953, Jon met and married the love of his life, Tobie Jacobskind of Miami, Florida, who became his business partner as well. Together they raised four children, Jay, Jeffrey, Judith and Jim.
At the age of 24, Jon began what would become a 45-year career operating in the food service, hospitality and entertainment industry. He founded Jonny-Boy Foods, which included a network of food concessions in Old Orchard Beach, as well as Tobie’s Restaurant in Saco.
A man of faith, he had a generous heart and loved nothing more than to help people in need. He was an inventor and process re-engineer before the term became fashionable and spent thousands of hours tinkering in the workshop at Palace Playland.
He was also a master storyteller, who loved nothing more than to captivate an audience, witting or otherwise, which often ended in a humorous life lesson. He was a “live and let live” kind of guy, who believed in the power of common sense.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Tobie. He is survived by: his four children; seven grandchildren, Shelley, Tal, Eric, Megan, Sarah, Julia, and Hannah; and his great-grandson, Oliver.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at Congregation Etz Chaim, 36 Bacon St., Biddeford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Congregation Etz Chaim in Jon’s memory.
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