Celebrating Life
Everyone Has A Story...



Home |  Celebrating Life |  Mission |  Services |  Contact |  Links |  Testimonials |  Memorials
Journal |  Press |  New Profession |  Blog



 


"Every life begins with love." In 2007, Gail and Andrew were thrilled when they found out they were expecting Baby A and Baby B – their first set of twins. Soon after, Baby A was named John after Andrew's grandfather, and Baby B was named Frank after Gail's father. The boys arrived prematurely on March 13th, 2008.

John Henry was known as Jack. He weighed in at three pounds, five ounces. The first three months of the boys lives were spent in the NICU at Cedars Sinai. The family got to know the nurses and one of those nurses, Lora, has kept in touch with the family ever since.

Jack was a very mellow, easy going little boy. He rarely cried. He was always at his happiest when he spent time with his family and one of his loving caregivers.

When Gail and Andrew took Jack and Frankie to Toronto for specialized physical therapy sessions, Andrew's father, Grandpa John, and his wife Granny B met them in Toronto and it was great support. Jack liked to spend time with his grandparents.

Sadly, in 2010 Frankie passed away in his mother's arms. A few days after Frankie passed, Jack became really sick. With the help and support of his parents and his team of caregivers, he recovered.

Within a year, the Katons' second set of twins were born and joined the family. Charlie and Amy were beautiful additions to the family and Jack was curious when the twins came home from the hospital. He loved it when they squealed and cried! He fed off of their energy as they grew. Charlie and Amy were also sensitive to Jack. As soon as they could help wipe his mouth or hold his hand, they did. They mimicked their parents' loving care of Jack. The couple's youngest son, Patrick, was also a delightful addition to the family and Jack seemed to be more relaxed when his siblings, now known as the triplets, were in the same room.

When it came to holidays, Christmas was probably Jack's favorite time because he enjoyed the energy of the presents being opened, the colorful lights, and the music. All four of the kids got red bicycles this past Christmas and Jack could actually pedal on his mobility enhanced tricycle. He also enjoyed swinging on his red swing in the backyard. You always knew when Jack was happy because of the smile on his face and the sounds he was making.

At school, Jack loved going to circle time. He enjoyed time in his class and with his teachers. His parents even joked that he had a few little girlfriends at school.

His parents gave him fun nicknames such as Woo-woo, Jack Rooney, Jack-Jack, or J.J. He communicated and he could say a few words - I love you, Oh Yeah, and Elmo. He could recognize his favorite pages from books and he'd get excited when he saw those pages because he knew them so well. He loved Dr. Seuss books such as Fox & Socks and One Fish, Two Fish. Another favorite was Monsters at the End of the Book. He recognized his favorite songs and his favorite episodes of television. His favorite television shows were Dinosaur Train, Peep in the Big Wild World, Yo Gabba Gabba, and a segment from Sesame Street featuring Super Grover. For awhile, Jack went to the hospital every six to eight weeks and had to undergo anesthesia. When Gail tried to wake him after anesthesia one time, he wouldn't respond. She had Super Grover on her iPad and when she played his voice, Jack woke up and responded to Super Grover.

One of his favorite toys was Teddy Ruxpin. He also loved dinosaurs and Mr. Conductor from Dinosaur Train. And he was fond of Elmo. In fact, for Jack's 4th birthday, his parents hired an Elmo character to visit his classroom and Jack sat on Elmo's lap. Elmo read books to the kids in the library and they loved it. For Jack's 5th birthday, he and his family went to the aquarium. And last summer, Jack and his family went to Sesame Street Live. He lit up when he saw the characters singing and dancing on the stage.

Recently, Jack learned a new game of sliding himself off of the couch and kicking his feet. Sometimes he kicked his feet so much because he was so excited. Gail gave him a new nickname, "River Dance." That couch game made him squeal and laugh as he'd anticipate sliding down the couch and onto the floor. When he was on the floor, the family's Great Dane, Penny, would lay next to him.

There were trips to Disneyland with Frank in 2009 and Charlie and Amy for their third birthday in November 2013. Jack loved the rollercoaster in Toon Town, but his favorite ride was Small World. As he looked around at all of the dancing dolls, Andrew was holding him and noticed that Jack's eyes were as big as saucers. He was mesmerized by the lights and the music as the family and Jack's nurse, Leslie, all rode on Small World twice during his last visit to Disneyland.

When the family celebrated birthdays, his parents gave Jack a taste of cake and ice cream. And for dinners every night, they gave him suckers and his oral skills improved. Rootbeer and orange were his favorites.

Jack was a rough and tumble sort of boy. He was all boy. He loved being bounced on the bed. He was filled with activity and energy. When they'd go to the park, Gail would put him on her lap and bounce him up and down and he loved it. The family took him on train rides and he really seemed to like that, too. Jack would have fits of laughter when he would ride in the car and hear the windows go up and down.

Jack's happiness inspired people. His teacher, Becky, and friends at school raised $1,300 in Jack's name for SoCal Trikers, to help other children get mobility enhanced tricycles. Joetta, the Director of Palliative Care at Miller's Children's Hospital, arranged for The Make-A-Wish Foundation to expedite Jack's wish to visit Super Grover. When Jack became too ill to travel to New York to meet him, they arranged for Super Grover and his puppeteer to spend time with Jack and his family at their home instead. Jack was so happy and excited to see Super Grover in person. It was the best day of his life.

Jack became very ill last December and spent a week in the hospital. Then, Jack got sick again on St. Patrick's Day of this year and was hospitalized three more times within the following weeks. He was in pain and he was suffering. Thinking only about Jack, his parents put him on Hospice. They were determined to make him comfortable at home. His siblings seemed to understand that Jack was not well. Last month, Charlie had a new level of emotional development because he was so loving, caring, hugging, kissing, and holding Jack's hands. He was very careful with him knowing he was fragile.

The day before he passed on June 1st was challenging, but Jack waited until his babysitter Sydney arrived the next day. On June 2nd at 9:27 am, Jack passed away peacefully in his parents arms while surrounded by his family and friends.

The last words Gail and Andrew told their son, Jack, were, "Be free. Go with Frankie." Jack and Frankie are playing games together now.

Jack was laid to rest in his navy blue shark shirt, his jeans, his brand new tennis shoes, and his Webster Elementary School jacket. In his hand was Mr. Conductor, one of his favorite dinosaurs, a picture of his family, and notes from both of his parents and Leslie were in his pocket.

A few days after his passing, his class graduated from kindergarten and Jack was recognized in the class program.

Jack's purpose in life was to make us learn a lesson to appreciate children every day and that includes all levels of ability and the small things in life. Jack taught us so many lessons in life and he's still teaching us now.

His family will miss his smile, his laugh, singing to him in the morning, tickling him, his coo's and high-pitched noises. Jack only knew love... he was so happy, he loved cuddling and he was a sweet boy.

Jack was preceded in death by his twin brother, Frankie; and his grandparents Pat, Frank, and Diane. Jack is loved and remembered by his parents Gail and Andrew; his brothers Charlie and Patrick; his sister Amy, his grandfather John and John's wife Belinda; his nurses Leslie and Tanya; his babysitters Sydney and Rachel; his former nanny Mariela; extended family and many friends. Caring for Jack and Frankie has been a team effort with a community of love. Gail is generous and often says, "Jack and Frankie had many mommies."


Jack's brother, Frankie, has a memorial eulogy here.
 




Copyright © 2005- Pam Vetter. All rights reserved.