Rocketley, Yaakov

Yaakov, son of Sara and Meir, was born on August 30, 1953 in Jaffa. He studied at the Katznelson Elementary School in Holon, at the Ort Yad Shapira vocational school in Tel Aviv and at the Tel Aviv vocational training institute. From an early age, Yaakov excelled in art. He was a painter and sculptor, and as he grew older, he decided to dedicate his life to the art of sculpture. As he wrote in the magazine of his school, he expressed his joy when his teacher showed interest and encouraged him to persevere in sculpture and study art. Some of his sculptures are still displayed in the school and in the parents’ home. Yaakov was active in the Gadna, participated in marches and journeys, in camps and on field days, was an outstanding athlete and was awarded certificates of excellence for his achievements, and was always serious and dedicated to his family and friends. Despite his seriousness, he was cheerful, very happy and optimistic, and during his army service he spent a lot of time with family members, and when he had time he went to work in his profession – mechanical frameworks – to help support the family. And was assigned to the Armored Corps. After basic training, he completed a tank training course and became a driver in the Patton tank. He was a good and devoted soldier, very fond of his commanders and his comrades in the unit. In the Yom Kippur War, Yaakov fought as a tank driver in the central sector of the Suez Canal. On October 15, 1973, he was hit and killed by a tank hit in the fierce battles at the Chinese Farm. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery on Mount Herzl. Survived by his parents, brother and two sisters. After his fall, he was promoted to sergeant.