James C. Pongrace

North Hampton - James C. "Jake" Pongrace was born on June 6, 1991, to Joseph and Ellen (Erickson) Pongrace in Homestead, Fla. He passed from this world in the arms of his brother, Matthew, and his father on Sunday, April 27, at his home in North Hampton. He was 22.Jake graduated from Winnacunnet High School with the Class of 2009 and attended CDIA Photography School at Boston University. A strong athlete, Jake was a four-year high school varsity lacrosse player. After high school, he explored two loves: the outdoors, with the National Outdoor Leadership School in the Pacific Northwest, and photography, as he captured the beauty of the New Hampshire Seacoast, his beloved family and large group of friends.Known for his loving personality and warm bear hugs, Jake will be deeply missed by his family and friends.Family members include his parents, Joe and Ellen, and his brother, Matthew, of North Hampton; his paternal grandparents, Don and Mary Pongrace of Rye; his uncles and aunts, Don and Olwen Pongrace of Washington, D.C., Michael and Sue Pongrace of Fairfax, Va., and Thomas and Heather Erickson of Marrietta, Ga.; and his cousins, Kathleen, Sarah, Aidan, Marya, Erin, Steven and David Pongrace, and Logan and Seth Erickson.Jake was predeceased by his maternal grandparents, Shirley and John Erickson of Portsmouth; his uncle, David Pongrace; and his cousin William Pongrace.

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SERVICES: Visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 2, in the Remick & Gendron Funeral Home-Crematory, 811 Lafayette Road, Hampton. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Rye Congregational Church, 580 Washington Road, Rye. Burial will follow in the Central Cemetery, Rye. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in support of Team Jake Pongrace and the Out of the Darkness Walk scheduled for Sept. 27 in Portsmouth. Visithttp://goo.gl/Cri8HQ for information. Please visit www.RemickGendron.com to view Jake's memorial Web site, sign the tribute wall or for directions.