Obituary for Jake Ryan Whenham
After months of pain and 3 years of a slow decline in ability, Jake died peacefully at his home in Alexander, MB on November 8, 2021. He was surrounded by family and love the last 2 days of his life. He lived the best life his body and mind would allow.
Jake was born in Thompson, MB on January 13, 2006. He moved with his family to Mitchell, MB in 2008 and then to Alexander, MB in November 2020. In his younger years there wasn’t a Tim Horton’s or pay phone that escaped his attention. His nicknames included Little Man; Butt Munch; Rooster; Mr. Jake; Jake-Jaker and ‘Just Jake’. He had a fear of missing out (FOMO) and we often told him how nosey he was. He loved to dress up in a suit. He loved the ladies and liked guy time. He loved meeting people, shaking hands and saying hi. Often, he would take the hand of 2 different people and put them together. He craved connection. We often joked that Jake was the mayor of Mitchell. He enjoyed a good party but was very clear when it was time to leave (would wave/say good-bye or get his hat). Whenever a new girlfriend or boyfriend came into the family, there was an unwritten test called the “Jake test”. If Jake approved, they were in. He was perceptive. Jake was the guy at church who noticed the nervous newcomers. He would walk to them, sit down beside them and quietly hold their hand.
Jake attended Kindergarten to grade 8 in Mitchell, MB. He completed grade 9 at Neelin High School in the Life skills program.
His work included volunteering at the compost bin in Steinbach, the annual Fall Food Drive with the Youth Group and The Manitoba Riding For Disability Flea Market, Bud Spud and Steak Night and Physiofit run. Although he didn’t have a job outside the house, he helped his dad mow the lawn and helped with household chores (especially when his aunty Roxanne was around).
He was involved in Move and Groove, Steinbach United Church, Challenger Baseball, Manitoba Riding For Disability Association, Cooking Club and Music Therapy.
His interests included people; family; wrestling with his parents; game shows; watching sports (despite his parents not being as interested); truck rides; side by side rides; being a wing man for his cousin; looking for deer; swimming; school; family games and eating (especially cookies, donuts and smoothies). Jake was a good sport. His parents dragged him on all sorts of adventures. These included skating on a sleigh; meeting the Governor General twice; camping; Jets games and baseball/soccer games. He travelled to British Columbia; Saskatchewan; Alberta; Ontario; North Dakota, the Ice Castles in Winnipeg, Corn Mazes and went on a Disney Cruise.
Jake is survived by his parents Aleasha and Jason Whenham; Lenora & Francis Fassett (grandparents); Leslie Whenham (Grandmother); Aunty Carrie Whenham, Uncle James Oake (cousin Samuel Harell); Aunty Kelly Booth; Aunty Roxanne & Uncle Darryl LeBlanc (cousins Chelsey, Dave, Riley & Mikaela); Aunty Gena Fassett (cousins Nic, Kaylynn & Nathan). Also survived by many great aunts, uncles, second cousins, honorary grandparents/aunts and uncles, friends, respite workers, EA’s and teachers. Jake’s village was immense.
Jake was predeceased by his Grandpa Darell and Uncle Shaun.
A Celebration of Jake’s Life will take place at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. Rev. Paul DuVal will officiate. In compliance with Public Health Orders, proof of full immunization will be required. For those not able to attend in person, the service will be webcast on Jakes’s memorial page at www.memorieschapel.com. Honorary pallbearers are cousins Chelsey, Riley, Nic, Nathan and Sam.
A special thanks goes out to Jake’s school staff, school therapists and all the nurses, doctors, aides and therapists who work at CK-5 at HSC, the Brandon Pediatric Unit, the Pediatric Palliative Program and the SSCY Centre.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honour of Jake to Manitoba Riding For Disabilities Association (MRDA) Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association (mrda.cc) or to Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation Tribute or Celebration Donation | Children's Rehabilitation Foundation (crf.mb.ca)
Jake was born in Thompson, MB on January 13, 2006. He moved with his family to Mitchell, MB in 2008 and then to Alexander, MB in November 2020. In his younger years there wasn’t a Tim Horton’s or pay phone that escaped his attention. His nicknames included Little Man; Butt Munch; Rooster; Mr. Jake; Jake-Jaker and ‘Just Jake’. He had a fear of missing out (FOMO) and we often told him how nosey he was. He loved to dress up in a suit. He loved the ladies and liked guy time. He loved meeting people, shaking hands and saying hi. Often, he would take the hand of 2 different people and put them together. He craved connection. We often joked that Jake was the mayor of Mitchell. He enjoyed a good party but was very clear when it was time to leave (would wave/say good-bye or get his hat). Whenever a new girlfriend or boyfriend came into the family, there was an unwritten test called the “Jake test”. If Jake approved, they were in. He was perceptive. Jake was the guy at church who noticed the nervous newcomers. He would walk to them, sit down beside them and quietly hold their hand.
Jake attended Kindergarten to grade 8 in Mitchell, MB. He completed grade 9 at Neelin High School in the Life skills program.
His work included volunteering at the compost bin in Steinbach, the annual Fall Food Drive with the Youth Group and The Manitoba Riding For Disability Flea Market, Bud Spud and Steak Night and Physiofit run. Although he didn’t have a job outside the house, he helped his dad mow the lawn and helped with household chores (especially when his aunty Roxanne was around).
He was involved in Move and Groove, Steinbach United Church, Challenger Baseball, Manitoba Riding For Disability Association, Cooking Club and Music Therapy.
His interests included people; family; wrestling with his parents; game shows; watching sports (despite his parents not being as interested); truck rides; side by side rides; being a wing man for his cousin; looking for deer; swimming; school; family games and eating (especially cookies, donuts and smoothies). Jake was a good sport. His parents dragged him on all sorts of adventures. These included skating on a sleigh; meeting the Governor General twice; camping; Jets games and baseball/soccer games. He travelled to British Columbia; Saskatchewan; Alberta; Ontario; North Dakota, the Ice Castles in Winnipeg, Corn Mazes and went on a Disney Cruise.
Jake is survived by his parents Aleasha and Jason Whenham; Lenora & Francis Fassett (grandparents); Leslie Whenham (Grandmother); Aunty Carrie Whenham, Uncle James Oake (cousin Samuel Harell); Aunty Kelly Booth; Aunty Roxanne & Uncle Darryl LeBlanc (cousins Chelsey, Dave, Riley & Mikaela); Aunty Gena Fassett (cousins Nic, Kaylynn & Nathan). Also survived by many great aunts, uncles, second cousins, honorary grandparents/aunts and uncles, friends, respite workers, EA’s and teachers. Jake’s village was immense.
Jake was predeceased by his Grandpa Darell and Uncle Shaun.
A Celebration of Jake’s Life will take place at Memories Chapel, 330-18th Street North on Saturday, November 13, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. Rev. Paul DuVal will officiate. In compliance with Public Health Orders, proof of full immunization will be required. For those not able to attend in person, the service will be webcast on Jakes’s memorial page at www.memorieschapel.com. Honorary pallbearers are cousins Chelsey, Riley, Nic, Nathan and Sam.
A special thanks goes out to Jake’s school staff, school therapists and all the nurses, doctors, aides and therapists who work at CK-5 at HSC, the Brandon Pediatric Unit, the Pediatric Palliative Program and the SSCY Centre.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honour of Jake to Manitoba Riding For Disabilities Association (MRDA) Manitoba Riding for the Disabled Association (mrda.cc) or to Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation Tribute or Celebration Donation | Children's Rehabilitation Foundation (crf.mb.ca)