Scoutmaster Jack Tobin touched many lives

Jack Tobin, a past Riverdale resident and scoutmaster, died at home from cancer on April 19. He was 69.

Mr. Tobin was a Boy Scout scoutmaster for Troop 240 during the 1960s, according to friend Arthur J. Pann.

“We have lost a friend, a larger then life individual. Someone who had an impact on so many lives and that impact most of the time we didn’t even realize until much later in our lives,” Mr. Pann wrote in an e-mail. “He was so important to many of you in helping to make each of you what you are today. He helped me in so many ways. Jack was everything to me. He was my dear friend, he was like an older brother and I guess a father figure as well. Whatever it was, I loved him and always will.”

Serving more than 10 years as the troop’s scoutmaster, Mr. Tobin impacted many lives, young and old.

 “Jack’s presence inspired and helped me carry out the task put in front of me,” Avi Rubinsztejn, one of Tobin’s acquaintances, wrote in an e-mail. “Leadership is not always the spoken word, but the supportive feeling of encouragement.”

Born in New York on Sept. 14, 1941, Mr. Tobin attended DeWitt Clinton High School and New York University.

He moved to Margate, Fla. in 1970. He was heavily involved in local politics and the Florida House of Representatives for 16 years.

Mr. Tobin is survived by his wife and childhood sweetheart of 49 years, Lesley, and children, David Tobin, of Boca Raton, Fla. and Lauren Adam of, Margate, Fla. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Mollie Adam, Shaina Tobin, Ben Tobin and Mitchell Tobin.

Mr. Tobin’s funeral was held at Temple Beth-Am in Margate on April 22 and more than 600 people attended, according to Mr. Pann. His burial followed at the Star of David Cemetery in south Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Scout Troop 240 is planning to honor Mr. Tobin in the near feature.

“The impact he had on hundreds of boys that grew up in Riverdale is still going on,” Mr. Pann said.