91-year-old Brings Energy and Knowledge to Hands-on Museum

At 91 years old, Jay Dobkin can run circles around many half his age.

After he sold his consumer finance business at age 40, Dobkin went back to graduate school, got a library degree and moved to Canada. He became interested in rare books at the University of Toronto. Eventually, Dobkin took the position of head of special collections at the University of South Florida and became executive secretary of the Florida Historical Society. While at USF, he suggested on setting up the library at the Heritage Village in Largo.

Once he retired from USF, he began volunteer work at the Largo Library. His volunteer work at the library soon turned into full-time employment and Dobkin created one of the biggest and best genealogy collections in the country.

At the age of 75, he once again retired. Not one to rest on his laurels, Dobkin soon found himself volunteering at the Heritage Village. He could often be found transcribing early documents and records. On Saturdays and Sundays, he scours garage sales and flea markets for items that he donates to the village’s gift shop, the Beach Cottage, to raise money for the Pinellas County Historical Society.

Pinellas County volunteers can expect to make a difference in the life of their community, while exploring interests, sharing knowledge, assisting others and making friends. For more information, visit www.pinellascounty.org/volunteer, email volunteers@pinellascounty.org or call (727) 464-VIPS(8477).