Obituary : Jacob Rice
Published: January 14, 2010
Jacob Rice, of Yarmouth Port, died on January 4 at the age of 89. He was the beloved husband of Sue (Rich) Rice.
Dr. Rice was born and raised in Lynn, and graduated from Lynn English High School. He attended Massachusetts College of Optometry, Emory University in Georgia, and Tufts Medical College, before opening his own practice, Lexington Eye Associates, in Lexington.
During WWII he served in the U.S. Navy. Because he had attended school on the G.I. Bill, when the war in Korea erupted he felt a responsibility to give back to his country, and joined the U.S. Air Force.
During his long career as an ophthalmologist, Dr. Rice also ran the eye clinic at M.I.T. and practiced at Emerson Hospital in Concord and Martha's Vineyard Hospital. He volunteered his services on the Navajo Reservation in Shiprock, N.M., and the Grenfell Mission in Labrador, Canada.
He was an avid tennis player and enjoyed kayaking, fishing, sailing, and most recently photography. Dr. and Mrs. Rice were residents of Lexington, Mt. Dora, Fla., and Martha's Vineyard, before moving to Yarmouth Port in 2002.
In addition to his wife, Jack is survived by his son, Mathew Rice of Ayer; daughter Rachel Rice of Brookline, Vt.; granddaughter Madeline Rice; and nephews Artie and Stan Rice. In lieu of cards and flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the Audubon Society.
