'Jake Made Us Laugh:' Friends Mourn Palos South Student

PALOS HILLS, IL — Whenever the pack of boys who hung out and played football together in the cozy Riviera neighborhood squabbled, it was 13-year-old Jake Kaminski who made them laugh and forget what made them all mad in the first place.

The Palos South seventh-grader died Saturday in a skiing accident in Wisconsin. When their parents gathered Jake’s six closest friends Monday at a local Pizza Hut, the boys held hands and prayed. Asked what they remembered most about their friend, they all said the same thing: “Jake made us laugh.”

Word of Jake’s tragic accident spread quickly around the Palos Hills community. Most of the kids learned about the death of their friend on Snapchat.

“The word was already out,” said Kimberly Rodgers, who has organized a GoFundMe campaign to help the family in the coming months. “Jake was such a loving, funny, happy, well-mannered kid. [His loss] has left a tribe of kids' hearts broken, and struggling to carry on.”

>>> Jake Kaminski GoFundMe

Jake loved sports. He enjoyed basketball and baseball, but football was his favorite. He loved playing video games with his friends. Jake was known for his sense of humor and took pride in making his family and friends laugh.

Last Halloween, Jake dressed as Dwight K. Schrute from “The Office.” To this day, the family still cracks up and shows off his incredible tribute to the assistant to the regional manager of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company.

Rodgers said Palos South counselors have done a “phenomenal job” getting their students through the death of a peer, many of whom have never experienced the loss of a close adult, let alone someone their own age.

Jake is described by his family as “a sweet, polite, and mild mild-mannered kid. He was always so positive. It was so contagious to everyone around him.”

Rodgers said her son, Justin, one of Jake's closest friends, has been inconsolable since learning of his friend's unexpected death.

“God called him home,” she said. “It can happen in a minute. I had to do something. I want to help the family, so they have one less thing to worry about as they go on.”

His neighbors and former teachers who’ve donated to the Jake Kaminski GoFundMe have also left tributes to the fun-loving boy and peacemaker among his many friends.

“My daughter and Jake are classmates. She said that he always kept things light and funny. Our hearts are with The Kaminski family and all who have been touched by Jake's infectious spirit.”

“I am so sorry to Jake’s family & friends for your devastating loss. He was an amazing, funny, kind, & polite kid. I was so lucky to be his 1st grade teacher. His dear friends & family are in my thoughts & prayers.”

Jake Aidan Kaminski was the cherished son of Melissa and Donald, dearest brother of Mikayla and Jordan, loving grandson of Ronald "Bear" (late Pamela) Madej, and Donald and Marlene Kaminski, beloved nephew to Gina, Bert (Krystyna), late Meghan, Colleen (Chad) Hoeksema, special cousin to Zach and Caroline, friend to so many, and missed by all.

Visitation for Jake Aidan Kaminski will take place from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at Kerry Funeral Home, 7020 West 127th Street, Palos Heights. Chapel prayers will take place the next day, Friday, March 10, starting at 10:15 a.m. prior to the funeral Mass. The Funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. from St. Linus Church, 10300 Lawler Avenue, Oak Lawn.

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