The funeral for Jake Vella, a much beloved teenager who captured the hearts of the people with his love for life and courage to never give up, was held on Saturday.
Jake, son of Maruska and Josie Vella, suffered from the rare disease ROHHAD (Rapid-onset Obesity with Hypothalamic dysfunction, Hypoventilation, and Autonomic Dysregulation), affecting around 100 children worldwide, which caused rapid and abnormal weight gain and respiratory issues, despite the amount of physical exercise one does.
The disease didn't hold Jake back. He enjoyed swimming and he reportedly regarded the Tal-Qroqq National Pool as his "Second home". He would undertake athletic challenges for charitable causes, such as raising funds by swimming 1.7Km, from St Paul's Islands to Mellieha, in open sea, as well as 100Km over 20 days, breaking the national record for the youngest person to swim 100Km in a pool. He notably marked his year's stay at Mater Dei Hospital last year with a 'Paw Walk', surrounded by pet-lovers and dog-walkers, in aid of the Association of Abondoned Annimals (AAA).
Though Jake spent much of his time at hospital due to his condition, he kept up his education virtually and had a love for music with the skill to play the guitar and piano. He had also collaborated with Malta's Got Talent's La Voix Harmonies to release a Maltese song called, 'We make dreams come true.'
Jake passed away at the age of 15, on Friday 30th August 2024.
His funeral began with a journey from Mater Dei Hospital to the Birzebbugia Parish Church on Saturday at 9am, accompanied by the Malta Mountain Bike Association cyclists, amongst others who were invited to join to honour the teen they hailed as a "true hero", in what they called a "final farewell bike ride", in turn escorted by traffic enforcement officials.
Before Birzebbugia's Parish of St Peter's Chains, the cortège came to a halt with the cyclists breaking off. His white coffin, with his final words "Thank you ma, thank you dad" was brought out by pallbearers also in white.
The mass was presided over by Archbishop Charles Scicluna.
Scicluna gave thanks to all those who held Jake dear and helped him in his life. He said that Jake will remain eternally young and pure of soul.
Scicluna said that on this occasion "we celebrate Jake's life which will never end." Scicluna said that Jake made love the measure of his life. He said that Jake spoke for those who had no voice, animals, in an act of great mercy and justice with a purity of heart.
Scicluna pointed out that even Jake's involvement in the song "We make dreams come true" was an attempt at peace and bringing people together. The Archbishop continued that Jake suffered and carried the sorrow of solitude and illness. He said, however, that Jake was a sign of faith to us and his determination and love of sports was a sign of great strength.
The family gave special thanks to Mater Dei Hospital staff, particularly those at the Disneyland ward, where he spent 8 months, as well as those of the ITU where he spent his final days. They thanked Jake's sponsors who helped and kept him happy as well as the Maltese public who believed in him.
Present amongst the congregation were Prime Minister Robert Abela, Leader of the Opposition Bernard Grech and President Emeritus Marie Louise Coleiro Preca.
When Jake had passed away, social media was flooded with messages of condolences and the fond memories of the teen. Posts were made, among others, by Prime Minister Robert Abela, Opposition Leader Bernard Grech and President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola who saluted him as a dream-chaser, an altruist and ultimately, an inspiration.