Retired Army Col. Jacob “Jack” Zwirn of Crofton and previously of Bowie died of natural causes Feb. 7, 2006 at the Bowie Health Center after a lengthy illness. He was 81.

Born June 5, 1924, in the Bronx, N.Y., Col. Zwirn graduated from Townsend Harris High School in Flushing, N.Y., and St. John’s University Law School in New York with a juris doctorate in law.

He retired in 1970 after 30 years of military service, including during World War II. Subsequently he was an attorney for the federal government, most recently with the Civil Service Court of Appeals.

Col. Zwirn was a member of Nevey Shalom Congregation in Bowie. He was a stamp collector, played checkers and chess and enjoyed the New York Yankees and baseball in general.

Survivors include his wife, Marie “Mitzi” Zwirn, whom he married in 1946; two daughters, Judy Voelske of Crofton and Gloria Marsella of Hatfield, Pa.; and four grandchildren.

Services were private; burial was in Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville. Arrangements were by Kalas Funeral Home in Edgewater.