Jakey Orlando Duque

Jake Orlando Duque, "Jakey" was born on May 8, 2015, to parents Orlando and Karen Duque. He was welcomed into heaven on June 8, 2020, after a very courageous fight with DIPG. From day 1 of diagnosis, Jakey’s Army grew as those around him began to wage the battle during his greatest war. The journey to rescue Jakey became urgent. Unbeknownst to those around him, Jakey was on a mission as well. Jakey would turn out to be not only the most valiant soldier but also a hero, as he rescued us all during our darkest moments.

During his 8 month war with DIPG, Jakey drew people of all faiths and all beliefs, calling them, challenging them to fill their jars with seeds of faith during times where doubt and fear overcame their hearts. Nothing seemed impossible for Jakey though. As Jesus called His first disciples, making them fishers of men, Jakey too was called to lead many of us to the altar of God where we learned to pray with him and believe in the strength and power of miracles. Jakey and his family persistently applied faith over fear and it is with that faith in which they were able to carry him through his battle. Jakey has blessed us for eternity with his love and his strength. We remain in awe of him. Jakey was and continues to live as a light in our lives. His smile and his infamous laugh will echo forever in our hearts.

He is survived by his parents, Karen and Orlando Duque; sister, Lyla; maternal grandmother, Lourdes; paternal grandmother Adriana; maternal aunt Tata and uncle Jose; maternal uncle Pablo and aunt Emma; paternal uncle Alain and aunt Demi; paternal aunt Daneysis and partner Natalie; cousins Emily, Lucia, AJ, Mikey, Aiden, Mia, Best Friend Tio Nelly and many other family and friends who loved Jakey dearly. He is predeceased by his loving maternal grandfather Deacon Pablo Fernandez (“Abu”) and paternal grandfather Pedro Duque, who, undoubtedly, welcomed him into heaven with open arms.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee for their tireless work and dedication during Jakey’s time there. They would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood, Florida, where Jakey spent the last weeks of his life.

Viewing services will be held Friday, June 12, 2020, 5:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. at Caballero Rivero Hialeah, 373 W 9th Street, Hialeah, FL, 33010. We kindly request visitors to follow all rules on social distancing and wear masks during their time paying their respects to the family.

Due to Archdiocese of Miami COVID-19 restrictions, the mass and burial will be closed to the general public. Only immediate family and friends shall be present. Please note, the services will be live streamed on Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCajXaOkgzL-RtNCeLnc-jrg). We invite you to join us via this platform to celebrate Jakey’s life through prayer and song, on Saturday, June 13, 2020, at 12:30 p.m. (EST). Details will also be posted on our Facebook (@JakeysArmy) and Instagram (@jakeys_army) pages.

In lieu of flowers, the Duque family lovingly requests that you make a donation to the Live Like Bella Childhood Cancer Foundation, which funds ongoing research for cures and treatment for childhood cancers, including DIPG. The Foundation also supports families of children affected by and fighting cancer. Visit https://linktr.ee/livelikebella to donate. Please mention Jake Duque in the “additional comments” section of their digital donation page.

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. Amen, I say to you, if you have faith the size

of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will

move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:20