With heavy hearts, we announce that Jacob Adam Kerr, age 19, our amazing son, brother, family member, and friend passed away March 3rd, 2019 at home surrounded by his family.
Predeceased by grandfather, Garry Walthers in 2011, Jacob is survived by his mom Susan, dad Jason, sister Julia, grandmother Diane Kerr, grandfather, Andrew Kerr, grandmother Sandra Walthers. He will also be missed by Aunts Lisa Fawkes (Glen), Linda Walthers, cousins Kyle and Jason Fawkes, Uncle Mathew Kerr, extended family, and friends as well.
“Those who knew Jacob, even for a short time will miss his immense shining light”
Jacob was fiercely brilliant with an ability to overcome, endure and succeed against all odds. Sarcastic, dark humor and practical jokes were a part of everyday life for Jacob, even while entrenched in his illness.
Diagnosed with cancer at age 5, then again at 17, then 18, Jacob would refuse to be defined by the disease, and he wasn’t. Multiple chemotherapy drugs, tests, scans, radiation, stem cell transplant, and several major surgeries would attempt to take over his life many times. Jacob’s positive and powerful mental outlook on life, along with school, soccer, friends, and family would force the balance to a normal life. Ultimately, he just wanted to be a young adult, cancer free and attend UVIC to study Computer Science.
Jacob’s passion and desire for a higher education became his key focus through high school and post-graduation. Through a bone cancer diagnosis and active treatment in 2017, Jacob graduated with honors and was accepted at UVIC through the Computer Science Program with scholarships awaiting his arrival. This same treatment protocol would claim ¾ of his pelvic bone and recovery would be intense and on-going with Jacob not only walking again without crutches but running in a 5 km event 11 months after the extensive surgery.
In Jacob’s way, “I did it because I wanted to see if I could, and now I don’t really want to do that again”. Jacob never liked running… We would all be amazed and in awe at this feat, but to Jacob, it was not a big deal and another example of working hard to get the result he wanted.
Jacob would continue to persevere throughout his illness, and although the disease was evident, he would have ultimate control of his days, moments, his future and passing. This was critical to Jacob and he did it his way.
The Kerr Family would like to express heartfelt thank you and gratitude to The Victoria General Hospital Pediatric Oncology Clinic, BC Children’s Hospital Oncology, Hematology Clinic, Canuck Place, BC Cancer Agency Vancouver, Ronald McDonald House, Peninsula Health Services, Victoria Hospice and Rebalance MD.
The strength of the human spirit is more powerful than any disease, and we were witness to this in our son and brother Jacob. His light shone brighter and brighter the closer he came to leaving us. We will always be grateful for Jacob’s grace, dignity, bravery, humor, and love, and will keep him in our hearts forever. We are honored to be Mom, Dad, and Sister to such an amazing human being.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held Sunday, April 7th, 2019 at 1:00 pm in The Mary Winspear Centre at 2243 Beacon Avenue W. Sidney, BC.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Victoria Foundation, as a fund is being established in Jacob’s name to support a scholarship for students entering the Computer Science Program at UVIC, by phone at 250 381-5532 or by cheque sent to #200 – 703 Broughton Street Victoria BC V8W 1E2.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Anthony
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Rochelle Oakes Jay, Sue and Julia,
There are no words for your loss. I can only extend my deepest sympathy. Although I only met Jacob a few times, I was in awe of his wit, intelligence and obvious strength. He had a light within him that shone so brightly. I wish that I could hear you talk about him tomorrow.
Sending love and support from afar,
Rochelle
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Kathy Baan Susan and family,
I am so very sorry to hear of your son’s passing. I know it has been a long long journey for all of you. You’re in my thoughts and please accept my heartfelt condolences. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.
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Alison Morgan So many fond soccer memories of Jacob. My heart goes out to you all. In Callum’s words today “He was the nicest guy”.
Sending you all gentle hugs at this very difficult time ❤️
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Kate Rutherford To Sue, Jay and Julia
We are heartbroken for all of you. It was our honour to get to know Jacob a little in the stands at swim practices – both through your stories and by chatting with him about soccer, school and computer games. Rob, Isabelle, Sophie and I send our love to you and all of your family.
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Kim Linekin I’m heartbroken for you all. Jason – you talked to me about Jacob at the last couple reunions and your love and pride really shone through. I was so happy that he’d pulled through his latest ordeal. And I was gutted to hear of his next one. Everything you’ve told me – and Matt’s told me – about Jacob proves that he was an amazing, strong, much-loved kid. I hope you’ll tell me more about him the next time I see you. Your family’s in my thoughts. I’ve always remembered Adam, even though I only saw him in the hallways of Claremont a bit. And I’ll always remember Jacob now. I wish you all some comfort and peace. xo
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Pilar Munoz Dear Susan and family, I have thought of you all so many times since our meeting at BC Children’s two years ago. Jacob had an energy and wisdom that stood out for me. May you be held by love and community at this time. My heart is with you and I send you my deepest sympathy and love.
Pilar Munoz
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Rafael Fuentes Our condolences. ❤️
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Catherine Sager Dear Susan, Jay and Julia. Please accept my heartfelt condolences and know that I am thinking of you all. It was my honour and privilege to spend time with your amazing son and brother, and all of you, and to watch him grow from a young boy into an amazing young adult. Jacob taught me alot about staying honest with ones own self and values and beliefs. He was never defined by his illness. I will forever remember and appreciate his grace, intelligence, determination, strive for higher education, self discipline, and his incredibly wicked sense of humour! It was beautiful to be a witness to your family love and loyalty while also taking time to create an amazing organization to help other families facing pediatric cancer. I know Jacob believed in that too. Thank you for letting me be a part of your team. I love you all and I am here for you, forever. xo
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Allison Power Dear Susan, your journey has see the worst of times and your life has seen the best of times. I am at a loss for words, probably because I feel like there is just nothing that can be said, instead, I feel…I feel your depth of loss is incomprehensible. Your amazing son, Jacob, with his brilliant mind and his fierce resilience, has made an impact on this planet, he touched lives. And I am sorry, he has left his legacy far too soon. Please reach out when you can, I’m hear to just hold space for you, when you need. With my deepest sympathy, you and Jacob are in my heart and in my thoughts. <3
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Natalie Gaines Dear Susan, Jay and Julia, I am heartbroken for you all. Words cannot make sense at a time like this.
Remembering Jacob and his energic, uplifting and positive personality.
Sending you my love and prayers.
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Rachel Zalinko I so wish I could have known your boy. Thank you for sharing so much of him and your family’s story as you navigated the deep waters of his diagnoses. The stories I have heard about him are a testament to the incridiblw family he was raised in.
I’m sorry I will not be able to attend the service but know that you will be forefront in my heart as you honour his life and grieve his loss in the coming weeks, months and years.
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Tegan Baker Strongest family I know. I love you all so much
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Adrian & Sue Hendriksen Dear Jay, Sue and Julia,
Jacob fought so hard and you were there every step of the way, fighting for him and so many others with this terrible disease. We cannot imagine what you all are going through at this time. Words will never express how very sorry we are to hear of his passing. Sending love and hugs to you all. xo
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Janette Champagne Dear Susan, Jay, and Julia, my deepest condolences and love to all of you. I have been deeply blessed in being a part of your family’s journey over the years. Jacob was a true free spirit and maintained a positive spin on so many of the challenges that life threw his way. He wasn’t defined by his disease. He was defined as a member of his family, as a son and a brother and a friend to so many; he was defined by his involvement in his community at so many levels. A bright light among us. Your love for Jacob has been witnessed at so many levels over so many years: Your encouragement for other children with cancer to have access to emotional and psychological healing through community activities though your creation of charity and program development that will live on to help so many. Deepest Sympathy and love, Janette Champagne.
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Dave Campbell Susan & family, I am sorry for your loss. Words cannot express. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Anne Carrelli Dear Susan, Jay, and Julia- my heartfelt sympathy to you all. Jacob has left an indelible mark in my life and heart, and I will forever remember his fierce sense of independence, and his wickedly bright sense of humour! He never failed to demand the best of all of us, and really made me look at the world from his point of view. His brilliant thinking always inspired me to open my mind to think differently- and I have loved watching him and your family grow over so many years. Thank you for being inspiring in your love and care of Jacob and Julia, and allowing me to be a small part of your journey. I wouldn’t have missed it.
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Teresa Domingo I am so sorry to hear about Jacob’s passing. I also lost my son to cancer in 2016 at the age of 20. My heart goes out to you and your family. Know that Jacob will be remembered. Our prayers and love are with you and your family.
Teresa Domingo
Rest easy pal gonna miss all the times we had