JAKE'S OUTREACH
Share a memory of Jake!
REMEMBER
Lake Park Memorial Garden .....
The garden was dedicated on Saturday, May 30, 2015. It was initiated by two students, Marianna Colucci & Noel FioRito in response to Jake's death. They spoke with their Principals about having a quiet place for family & friends to remember their loved ones. They contacted the Lake Park Education Foundation and a plan was drawn and a vigorous fund-raising began. It truly was a joint effort with the students, the Education Foundation, and the Community all working together to bring it to fruition. One year later it was beautifully completed with benches, trees, plants, lighting, and memorial bricks with words of remebrance on them. A bench and brick were purchased in memory of Jake. The Ceremony was heart-felt, complete with the Lake Park High School Chorus singing, Hark! I Hear the Harps Eternal. Thank you to all who contributed to this peaceful setting at the West Campus near the Theater entrance, may it be enjoyed for years to come.
NEW MESSAGES .....
07/18/2019
June 16th 2019, Jake’s birthday, he would have been 21 years old this side of Heaven. We imagine Jake doing well in college working toward his degree of in engineering. He wanted to be part of NASA. We all miss him so much as a loving son, as a big brother, always encouraging and fun loving, as a nephew, positively influencing our family, as a wonderful grandson, always giving of himself with his infectious smile, as an enthusiastic student with a love for learning new things, and as a reliable friend, sharing his newest video game.
God gave Jake a heart for helping people at a young age. He also had a remarkable understanding of Bible passages in Sunday School and Awana classes.
We are thankful that we were part of Jake’s life for 15 years. We will remember all the good things that Jake accomplished in his short life, especially when we honor him at our Jake’s out reach events. We know that we will be reunited with Jake forever in the future through our Lord Jesus Christ. This alone makes our grief bearable. Our love for Jake and his for us is eternal.
Lots of Love from Grandma and Grandpa Hilligoss
06/16/2018
Jake - our Gift from God
We Remember the Gift God gave us in Jake, especially on his birthday.
His smile and his laughter
His amazing intelligence
His spiritual understanding
His desire to help people
His love for the Lord and his desire for others to know him as their Savior and Friend
A Gift so brilliant, in so many ways,
is shining brightly in Heaven today.
With broken hearts we remember what awaits us on the other side
Our Loving Savior with His arms open wide!
United in Jesus,
Together,
Forever,
Amen!
Lots of Love from Grandma and Grandpa Hilligoss
06/16/2018
We miss you and love you Jake, we look forward to the day when we see you in heaven along with Jesus and all the angels.
Uncle Greg & Aunt Tiffany
09/14/2017
We viewed the Total Eclipse from your yard today. I know you would have been very excited about this event had you been with us! You had such a love of science and of God's creation. Every time there is a full moon I think of you. I know you now have a wonderful view of the moon! We can view it together from different perspectives. You're always in my heart and on my mind. Love, Grandma Hilligoss
Sharing some Memories.... 7/24/2017
Jake, You were my first best friend that I've had in school. We went to DuJardin together up to fourth grade, when I moved at the start of fifth. I remember the many sleepovers and trips to the amusement park we shared. I remember the many drawings and inventions we came up with in art class, and the little "clubs" we came up with. I am so ashamed of myself for not getting in contact earlier. I found out about your passing last year (2016) when my mom and I were walking around Lake Park and saw your memorial plaque. It was quite a shock to find out that you had passed three years prior. I thought I had all the time in the world to reconnect with old friends. I'm so sorry I didn't, but I want you to know I care about you and think of you often. You will always be my best friend. Your friend always, Daniel.
Messages .....
Today, June 16th 2016 would have been Jake's 18th birthday. We will be Praising God for the time we had with Jake and celebrating the amazing young man God created. We so enjoyed your witty humor, your sharp, inquisitive mind, your compassion for others. we miss the meals we shared together especially during homemade pizza night you and Logan would quickly divide up the pizza to make sure you each got the same amount! During breakfast we would all share our favorite comics that we thought were the funniest. This would've been your graduation year we so looked forward to and watching you head off to the college of your choice. You wanted to be a scientist and inventor. We know you would've been an excellent one. Your love for God showed throughout your life.
Our love will always be with you and you will always be with us forever!
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! I John 3:1.
~Grandma
Happy Birthday Jake, we miss you always!!!
-love aunt tiffany
July 6,2015
Jake
Still miss you every day son.
Lance
Summer 2015
Thousands of fond memories of you have flooded our minds during this past year and a half. As each season changed we remembered many fun times: sledding down our hill, building snowmen & gingerbread houses, bike riding, kite-flying, cook-outs, mentoes & coke explosions, and reading together on the patio even though it was v a c a t i o n! We still call your chair Jake's chair and talk about how you would have enjoyed certain comics with us. Logan is carrying on with a love for Mindcrafte that you introduced him to, as well as enjoying some creatively silly videos. We know the best part of you lives on and we will be united again in the future. We enjoyed many years of worshiping together, how you loved the music! We thank God for the years we had together and how you even inspire us all today with your fun, loving, and generous spirit.
-Love, Grandpa, Grandma & Logan
June 15, 2015
This side of Heaven...We would be celebrating your 17th birthday today, instead we are sharing our fond memories of you. Logan and I looked at the pillow with the Bible verse on it we all memorized- Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105. Jesus is the light of the world and it brings us comfort knowing you are with Him in Paradise. He promises to all who trust that His death on the cross is for their sin and so is His Resurrection. We look forward to our reunion someday in Heaven. Your generosity and fun-loving spirit inspire us to move ahead and celebrate your life by helping kids in need through JakesOutreach events. You're always with us. We try to live our lives extending compassion to others as you did. We miss you so-o-o-o much!
~With Our Love, Grandpa & Grandma Hilligoss
Jake
We just completed the shoe-box charity this past weekend and there was a big turnout Jake, you would have been happy to see it. I'm glad I am able to help out with these charitable events, I should have been doing it since I was a kid. Thanks Jake for making me more aware to helping people in need. Miss you! :)
Dad (November 10, 2014)
I remember taking you and Logan to the store last November to choose toys for your Christmas shoeboxes. This year Logan and our family and friends will gather to pack 100 shoeboxes in your honor. May the Lord bless all who contribute, pack, deliver and receive these gifts of Joy and Hope!
~ Cindy Hilligoss November 2, 2014
Your laugh brought me great Joy, Thank You Jake!
- Love Grampa November 1, 2014
Please Share a Memory or Story of Jake .....
April 14, 2014
Jake would always hold the door for me and everyone else at Math Team, and was always eager to help.
He impacted how I view people and how to treat people.
- a friend of Jake's
I still think about you and how you arent around but still in our hearts. i miss seeing you around and making me smile everyday.
i miss you jake
- a classmate
Jake was very funny and always happy. Do not lose hope in God. This is all part of His plan, and he has not left your side.
- a classmate
May 5, 2014
I have wonderful memories of Our Jake which I will continue to share with everyone.
One that is in my mind right now was when Jake was just a little boy and he spent the weekend with Papa Ben & I. We always loved this special time with him and he did too, we were getting ready to go for a ride and I placed Jake in his car seat which was like a big Lounging chair for children he loved this carseat. I always carried several cd's in the car for him of different types of music whatever he liked at the time. I turned around and said Jakey Pie, what music would you like to listen to today? He looked at me with a Big smile and said, How about Bible music Nana? I had most recently purchased a new cd of bible music for him and had yet to open it. I placed the cd in the tray and a little while after it had been playing I looked back to see how he was and saw him smiling while looking out the window and tapping his little foot to the music.
What I would not give to be able to hug him and tell him, how much I Love him and miss everything about him. He is always in our hearts and in our thoughts an prayers.
~All My Heart, Marylyn J. Miles, Nana
Share your Messages, Memories and Condolences.....
June 18, 2014
I just wanted to say happy Golden 16th Birthday Jake. I promised myself I would visit on your birthday and I did son, a very sad experience. I hope the Lord is taking care of you. I know if you were still with us we were going to give you the trailblazer as your first vehicle. But your in a better place now so you don't need it. Miss you everyday Jake.
~Love Dad
June 16, 2014
Today would have been your "Golden Birthday" this side of Heaven, 16 on the 16th. We miss your beautiful smile and your laughter every morning when we all read the comics together, especially Garfield, Wizard of Id, and Bizarro. You enjoyed trying new teas from Aunt Tiffany's pantry each morning. A quick kiss goodbye on your left temple as I said I love you and wished you a good day at school and you wished me a good day also. Grandpa drove you to school and picked you up from the bus after school. Trips to Anytime Fitness several times a week with Grandpa for you to go through your weight lifting routine while looking forward to a spicy chicken sandwich from Wendy's is also a fond memory for us. I also enjoyed making you several pizzas each week and watching you enjoy it sometimes for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
~With Lots of love Grandma & Grandpa
March 10, 2014
Jake not a day goes by that I don’t think about you. We miss you son. Logan misses how you always helped him with things he couldn’t figure out be it on the computer, a game on x-box, building Lego’s, reading a book or his homework. You were gifted beyond your years with how smart you were. Seems like a real waste to me the Lord taking you after only 15 short years. But He knows what he’s doing. All of our days are already numbered. I may not agree with it, but I trust He knows what He’s doing.
~Dad
March 6, 2014
Thinking of you and missing you Jake. I pray you are walking with Jesus right now son. The house seems empty without you here.
~Love you.Dad
February 19, 2014
A truly humble person was best described by C. S Lewis in Mere Christianity: ” A cheerful sort of chap who doesn’t think of himself at all,” but who is just interested in the other person. Truly this was a description of Jake. May his life inspire us! We miss you!
~Cindy Hilligoss (Jake’s Grandmother)
February 10, 2014
I remember about 2 weeks before this tragedy happened Jake, I stopped over at grandma & grandpa’s one night late after work: when I got there you walked out and said “Oh, hey dad!” Even though you were growing up so fast I made you give me a big hug, and I remember kissing you on the top of your head and telling you I loved you and I would always be there for you. And that no matter how big you got, you would always be my little son. Though I did not know at that time that I would be without you from now on. I remember that moment often, and I’m glad I got the chance to tell you that I still loved you son and I always will.
~Dad
January 8, 2014
Jake we all miss you and love you, things will never be the same without you.
~Love Dad
January 8, 2014
We miss Jake dearly. We have comfort to remember, as I held him during his baptism, that he is a Child of God. As we mourn his loss, God’s promise shows us he is in Heaven right now, even though we will always wish he was still here with us. Jesus blesses the children in Matthew 19: 14 Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them, For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” 15 And Jesus placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.
~ Jake’s Godmother – Tiffany
December 19, 2013
Once I asked Jake what his definition of a Miracle was, he said: Inconceivable amounts of Grace, Mercy and Compassion. These are all gifts God gives us to enjoy through the birth of his son Jesus, this Christmas Season. We can give these to others by sharing a kind word, a thoughtful gesture, and the knowledge of our wonderful Savior. Jake would smile knowing we’re reaching out to others in his memory.
~Cindy Hilligoss (Jake’s Grandmother)
December 10, 2013
Thank you all for your comforting comments on our son Jake. He was the best son anyone could have asked for. Nothing can prepare a parent for this, absolutely nothing. No parent should ever have to bury their own child, in a perfect world. Our hearts ache for our son, we want him back but it’s not possible. He had his whole life ahead of him, and now it’s gone. It makes one realize just how fragile life really is, one minute we’re here and the next we could be gone. Live everyday to it’s fullest, have no regrets, seek out the Lord and keep him with you always. I know Jake did. Time heals all wounds, but this one will never fully heal. I miss him with all my heart and hope to see him someday soon, but my work on Earth is still not done. Until that day, may god bless one and all and we will keep Jake alive in our memories. We love you Jake!
~ Lance Hilligoss
December 11, 2013 The one thing we can count on is that Christ gave us victory over death. That’s why he came on Christmas Day and when we put our trust in Him, we can have confidence that we too have victory over death and that we will see our loved ones that have gone before us and that there is no time in heaven – a thousand years is like one day. Take comfort in the promises of God that we will be reunited with our loved ones.
~Laura Nelson, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin*
December 7, 2013
Rest in peace jake. We will miss you and you will be in our hearts forever. We will never forget you. You are our angel.
~ Johnna Capozzoli*
December 06, 2013
I hope you are in no pain and you are happy.. I love you Jake!
~ Michaela-Ann Lucia Lupo, Itasca, Illinois*
December 06, 2013
Marti, Lance, Logan and family,So sorry for your loss. What an amazing young man you raised to know and love the Lord. A wonderful big brother and son. And friend to so many. His light shines brightly. Praying for you all. May God comfort you and hold you in His arms as he does Jake.
~ Cari Christopher, Bloomingdale*
December 05, 2013
Thinking of you and your family…
~ Denise Irving, Roscoe, Illinois*
December 05, 2013
I’m so sorry. Jake sounds like an amazing young man. I pray you find strength in his memory and comfort in each other, your faith and your family and friends. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
~ Heather Ippolito-Shields, Jefferson City, Missouri*
December 05, 2013
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family…
~ Denise Irving, Illinois*
December 05, 2013
I didnt know him that well but the few times i did talk to him he was the nicest person i’ve ever talked to. I know i’m not the only one that’s going to miss him. R.I.P.
~ Austin Jarvis, Roselle, Illinois*
December 4, 2013
I was a class mate of Jake in elementary school. I also attended the same high school as him,Lake Park. Jake was the kindness and funniest person you could be know. Jake was a great friend and person. If you were having a bad day he would cheer you up. Jake will always be missed by me. To Jakes family I am sorry for your loss.
Gianna Chiappetta, Bloomingdale, IL