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Jake Unwin Obituary
Jake grew up on Saunders Point and loved living an outdoor life at the beach with all of his family, friends, and neighbors. He was an exceptional athlete and spent the majority of his youth on the baseball field. This is where Jake made many of his lifelong friends and accomplished so much. The highlight of his career was pitching East Lyme to the ECC Championship in 2012, at Dodd Stadium. He was so proud of his team.
Jake loved any outdoor activity: skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, golf, and to the consternation of many, was good at all of it. He had that rare ability to go through life with such grace and humility. He was fiercely loyal, almost to a fault, and his friends were everything to him. Many stories are still being told about his adventures with them. If you were Jake's friend, you knew loyalty.
Jake struggled all of his life with anxiety, which eventually led him to substance abuse. He spent a few years in Colorado in recovery where he made great friends who helped him on his journey. Jake returned home last summer, working construction and looking forward to starting the welding program at Electric Boat.
Jake leaves behind so many who loved him; his mother, Deborah Unwin, father, Steven Unwin and stepmother, Betsy Borkowski all of Niantic; his sister, Taylor Unwin of Los Angeles; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who loved him so much. Jake will be missed for his empathy, loyalty, humor, generosity, and by the many people whose lives he touched.
A memorial wake will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday evening at Thomas L. Neilan Funeral Home in Niantic. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Brian Dagle Foundation in East Lyme, CT., Oceanside Recovery in Niantic, or SCADD in New London.
Online condolences may be expressed to Jake's family at www.neilanfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jake Unwin
Sponsored by Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home.
John Bertini
August 5, 2024
In loving memory of dear Jake, My condolences to my dear friend Debbie and all of Jake's friends and family members who will live their lives missing him for always and forever. May he rest in peace, Love John( Bertini)
Kathleen O´Reilly
August 6, 2023
Sending love and peace for your hearts to Taylor, Deb. Steve, Betsy from the O´Reillys and Liam, Delaney and Bella Wild.
Kathleen OReillyWild
August 5, 2022
Thinking of dear Jake today and the family, smiling at every Monarch Butterfly I see... Love from Kathleen, Liam, Delaney and Bella
Kathleen OReillyWild
August 9, 2021
Deb, Steve, Betsy & Taylor - enjoyed a Monarch in my garden today - I´ve been raising from egg and releasing them the last 2 years always with Jake at the forefront of my thoughts. Sending you love and strength. Kathleen, Liam, Delaney and Bella
Kathleen OReilly
August 5, 2020
Thinking of all of you and your angel Jake always, but especially as we recall the heartache of this time last year. Much love and prayers for comfort from Bill, Liam, Delaney, and Bella Wild, and the O’Reilly family. Love, Kathleen
nancy knapp
August 5, 2020
I didnt know Jake, but I knew his Mom. Deb, please know that I am thinking of the Unwin family on this !st anniversary of Jake's passing
Katrinka Greger
August 18, 2019
To everyone in this big loving family, my heart goes out with love and sympathy. There are no words to speak of this loss-except to know that Jake's spirit is free and will always be close to those he loved.
With love, Trinka
Ken & Deb Berg
August 16, 2019
Steve,
Words cannot adequately express how sorry we are for your loss. Our sincerest condolences.
Trinka Greger
August 15, 2019
To everyone in this big loving family, my heart goes out with love and sympathy.There are no words to speak of this loss,except to
be aware that Jake's spirit is free and will always be close to those he loved.......peace.
John Protopapas
August 15, 2019
Steve I was so sorry and sad to hear the news about Jake. My deepest condolences to you and your family. I hope all the kind words and memories can give you some peace during this time.
A mother who lost her son
August 15, 2019
So sorry for the loss of your very hansom son. I to just loss my son, who was depressed and in a lot of pain from many unsuccessful back surgeries. I feel your pain and pray for you and your family at this difficult time. May God bless you.
Gregg Lafontaine
August 14, 2019
Deb we were so sorry to hear about Jake. You have been in our thoughts and prayers. While there isn't anything that can be said that will provide relief, please know there are many people who care about you and wish they could give you some respite. Know that in time sadness can be replaced by the forever access to special memories of Jake that can be visited over and over. Hope you find that peace soon.
Gregg & Linda
Jamie Selbie-Rohrberg
August 14, 2019
My breaks for you, peace be with you and your family.
Jake rest easy and give my love to my son Kyle.
Jay Grasso
August 14, 2019
Dear Deb,
I'm so sorry to hear of your son Jakes passing. That is heartbreaking. My condolences and prayers to you and you family.
Sincerely,
Jay Grasso
Cindi Marvel
August 13, 2019
I was truly disheartened to here of the loss of your son. I can't imagine the pain and sorrow you are all experiencing.
Although I never met Jake he looked like a fun loving, kind hearted soul!
May he Rest In Peace. My thoughts and prayers are sent to all family and friends...
Chris Majchrzak
August 13, 2019
Dear Unwin family
We are truly heartbroken for your family and send our deepest condolences. Although we don't know each other you have been in my thoughts almost constantly since I heard the news. We know only too well the depth of pain and anguish you are suffering over the loss of your sweet son Jake. Our son Danny passed away two years ago and that pain - while it is not as raw- is still and will always be there. For we have lost a precious beloved and a part of us.If you should ever want to talk or just sit with someone who knows what you are experiencing, we are here for you (please email anytime at [email protected] - and I will pass on our phone number). There are no words that can fix this, but there is comfort and strength in unity and love to pass on and share. Jake lived a beautiful but brief life, and whatever pain he experienced here is over and he has found peace . I am sure he was lovingly greeted by a crew of fellow Vikings - Danny, Kyle, Brian and Austyn to name a few. I know they are living it up in the light together. Sending love, and healing to all of you. Chris, Mark, Sarah and Caroline Majchrzak
Nancy Knapp
August 13, 2019
Deb, I am so very sorry to hear of Jake's passing. Cindy contacted me the other day to let me know. You, Steve and Taylor are in my thoughts at this very sad time. He is at peace now. Nancy Knapp
Mike and Maureen Stella
August 13, 2019
Dear Debbie,
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your son. Our deepest condolences to you and your entire family. Both my wife and myself pray for you during this difficult time.
Kerry Hung
August 12, 2019
My Deepest Condolences Debbie to you and your family. I am praying for strength and healing for you and your family at this most difficult time. May Jake rest peacefully in God's arms.
Jane
August 11, 2019
Rest in the sweetest of peace Jake.
John Bertini
August 11, 2019
Our Deepest Condolences Debbie to you and your family. I am praying for you for strength at this most difficult time . Love John and Randy
John Bertini
August 11, 2019
Dear Debbie, Please accept our deepest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your handsome and wonderful son. I can't imagine the pain and I want you to know that I have been upset and feeling the pain with you. You are very dear to me and I want you to know that I am thinking of you and your family at this awful time. With deepest sympathies , love Johnny and Randy
ERICA DEVOTI
August 11, 2019
Dear Family of Jake, I am so very sorry for your loss of Jake. He was such a wonderful young man--kind and funny and easy to be around. I met him in Colorado when he was on his sober journey. I remember him discovering coloring for stress relief and he was so talented--the colors and the detail were beautiful. I remember what an athlete he was! From volleyball to softball to horseshoes and bocci ball! I would sit with him at meals at times because we both didn't feel like talking to anybody. I loved to see him laugh and open up, though opening up was hard for him to do--so the times he did it was really special. He talked about his family and how important you were to him. What a beautiful young man. He touched my heart and he will stay in my memories forever. Prayers for all of you.
Kathleen O'Reilly-Wild
August 11, 2019
In Memory of Jake
For Steve, Deb, Taylor, Betsy and all who love him:
William Butler Yeats would have us old and grey and full of sleep' when we dream of the soft look our eyes once had, and of their shadows deep'. To end our journeys here, Yeats asks us to recall our full lives, having loved and lost; only then may we say our goodbyes and hide our faces among the stars.
But what of the life that has been fully-lived in only one quarter of the time Yeats speaks of? What of that life so packed with rich relationships and intense emotional and physical experiences that it propels the soul to finish its journey here in record time?
We cannot possibly know that we are living alongside one of these exceptional souls whose mortal time with us will be finished long before we are ready to say goodbye. They are the budding angels in our midst.
I believe that a soul is far too precious to serve only one purpose, and that we are privileged to have had Jake in our earthly lives for any part of his own.
As dear Jake takes his place among the stars, in our grief we must celebrate the joy of knowing, loving, crying, playing, swimming, hiking, smiling, dancing and laughing with one who had greater work to do beyond this mortal life. He is rising, free of earthly burdens. We pay the cost of our heavy grief knowing that Jake's eternity at peace is invaluable by any measure.
Look to the sky as dusk rises to find the star through which Jake is watching over you.
God speed to your star, Jake!
With love and sincere condolences from Bill, Liam, Delaney, Bella & me, and our extended families,
Kathleen O'Reilly-Wild
Mary-Jean Montano Dunn
August 11, 2019
Steve, Debbie, Taylor, and Betsy. I am so very sorry to learn of Jake's passing! He was a beautiful young man and I will be thinking and praying for all of you!
Paula Fee
August 11, 2019
Dear Debbie,
I know there is no pain more far reaching and extreme than losing a child. I am deeply saddened by the loss of your son. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Showing 1 - 29 of 29 results
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Memorial Events
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Aug
13
Wake
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home48 Grand Street, Niantic, CT 06357
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