On Thursday, August 28th, the kids in our neighborhoods will step out into the world, embarking on another school year, some with smiles and others with gloom as they realize their summer is a thing of the past. For one family in town, this school year will never feel quite the same.
Stratford resident, and aspiring kindergarten student slated to attend Johnson House this fall, six-year-old Jahseh Martinez was taken from his family, and our community, by the Housatonic River. His body was found two days after he fell into the river at the Birdseye Boat Ramp on August 6th.
For two days, rescue teams flew overhead, moving from a hopefully from a “search” to a “rescue”. Fear of the worst was confirmed on August 8th when Jahseh was found a mile away from where he’d fallen in.
His family prepares to lay him to rest this Friday, August 22nd in Bridgeport at 10am at East End Baptist Tabernacle Church. His funeral will be followed by a repass, for which a post in a Facebook group was made requesting donations for things like paper plates, forks, knives, and other accessories to help make his repass as worry free as it can be for his family,
There has been an overwhelming response from our community in support of the family. With the average cost for a funeral being over $6,000, the family appreciates the generosity of all those who have donated to those costs. Their GoFundMe page, is just short of reaching their $7,500 goal. The family also appreciates the condolences and kind thoughts offered on their behalf, including an announcement made via email by Superintendent of Schools Heather Borges on August 13th to the school community, notifying us of his passing.
Family friend, Tina Cooper, spoke with the Stratford Crier to share additional needs, as the family prepares to say goodbye to Jahseh. Tina is a lifelong friend of Jahseh’s grandmother, Angie. The family still could use additional food items for the repass this Friday. Tina says, “Food donations can be dropped off on Friday, August 22nd after 11am at 709 Beechwood Avenue, Bridgeport. If people cannot donate, we understand. Prayers are appreciated.” The repass begins at 3pm and concludes at 7pm. If you’d like to donate food or help in any other way, Tina has shared her email address with us to give to you. You can reach Tina at coachqueen12@yahoo.com.
Jahseh leaves behind his mother, father, and little sister. The Stratford Fire Department, Stratford Police Department, and Coast Guard helped search for Jahseh moments after he fell in. With the hope that such a tragedy never happens there again, by August 15th, child-sized life jackets and a 50 ft. throw line were added to the dock by U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety and Environmental Protection Officer Steven Apatow and his 12-year-old son, Austin, as reported by NBC CT.
Hi,
I’m Jahseh Martinez’s grandmother. You spoke to my friend, Tina the other day.