You will always be remembered for you are loved by so many. I still miss you, Mikey, but I find a bit of solace in the thought that you are in a place where there is no more pain, no more tears. Please watch over all of us, especially your mom, dad, sisters, and Chad. Your mom gave me your french press and loose leaf teas, by the way. Every time I wind down at night and sip my tea, I'll think of you, and remember you as this cute, delightful, dimpled little boy who grew up to be so handsome, tall, warm-hearted, and caring. One day, we'll see each other again. We'll have tea and we'll laugh. But for now, be an angel for us.

You cross my mind so often - no more laughs, no more late night early morning chats.....  time hasn't healed the loss....  you were so beautiful - so many beautiful qualities for your family & friends to hold on too -  from far across the Oceans - your dear friend Maxine Beale - Perth - Western Australia xxxx

it's been a year and it's still lonely here without you......we miss you more each day....for life is not the same to us...since you were called home......silently we grieve....and brush away our tears...the memories you left behind....is all we have...
things we feel more deeply in our hearts is filled with grief....it is so heavy to carry and unbearable at times....the longing...for one more moment....one more breath...one more touch...we grasp desperately....Kuya, we love you so much...
if we could have one lifetime wish.....one dream that could come true.....I'd pray to God with all my heart.....for yesterday and you....
..........i miss you so much mikey.......

I just learned that Rylan is no longer with us..and it is November, almost November 30, 2013, 4 years ago, I first encountered Rylan on Cake Central and loved him from the moment I saw his first cake and conversed with him..I have felt very sad all day and think of Rylan often.  He was a treasure..

Such a beautiful, generous soul...we miss you terribly.

your son gave so many a reason to smile and love. In doing so, he left a beautiful legacy. This was why Rylan was put on this earth. To change lives. I was a police officer for several years and soon enough I became very skeptical of the nature of humanity. Very few people I met detered me from feeling that why; until I met Rylan. He helped restore my faith in humanity and helped me open my heart to so many. He saved so many by simply giving love without reservation. My dear Mrs. Tanopo, it is not everyone that is touched by the hand of god. Your son is an angel and you are blessed beyond words to have given birth to an enlightened soul. He is at peace and loving you more than ever.

It really breaks my heart to know that he's not here anymore. I dont know him personally but he approached me one day through aim (2007) and from then on we clicked. I really liked Jene's personality and his value with friendship. He was so funny and kind spirited. I'm glad he got to message me because I felt that my guidance for him helped him in so many ways. I was always there when he needed someone to talk to. I remember he told me he wanted to like start baking cakes but I didnt believe him. Then I guess we just stopped talking because we both got busy and didnt have time to talk to each as we used to. But I remember he randomly called to surprised me when I was on my way to eat sushi with a friend and I stayed on the phone with him instead while my friend ate alone. He told me one day he'd visit and surprise me in person. So a couple of days ago, I called one of my friends from Vegas for Jene's number because me and my friends were planning on coming down in November and thats how I found out the tragic news. No words can explain how heartbroken I am knowing he's gone. I'll never forget all the things we learned from each other. He was so polite and loving and he always had the sweetest words. I feel that he isnt gone though, I feel that hes watching over and just smiling and enjoying life as if hes walking with us. I feel that he's happy to be with God and that hes not hurting anymore. One day, I know we will see each other and enjoy life in heaven. My sincere condolences to his family. You guys had an amazing person in your life.

Hi Mikey...is it really unnecessary to say that we terribly miss you because you are no longer with us? Your smile and you as a whole, your magic touch (to everything! You truly put lives to everything that you touch!) We wish we could do the same to you, your compassionate heart and the warmth of your care, specially to your mom and dad and your siblings.  Since we didn't see each regularly before, I was just contented reading your posts that I enjoyed a lot. Everyone that knows you and your heart are still in pain and that pain will remain...the pain of missing! The news was a hard blow for me and to your Tita Airline, specially to your sister because it came the day that we were supposed to celebrate our birthday.  I will never forget your last message to me, the greeting that you posted on my wall that day. Now, for sure, we will never celebrate our birthdays the same way from now on...because of the wound you left in our hearts, the wound that will turn into a deepest scar. We, your extended family never fails to say a prayer for you, and with your loving family and loved ones, so we are assured that you are well loved and taken cared for in Heaven now.  We love you so much Kuya Mikey! We will be forever grateful to you..for taking care of us, all of us! You have devoted so much time and so much love to everyone. We love you Mikey and we awefully miss you but we know that you are happy and at peace now that you are joined hand in hand with our Dearest Creator. We will keep you in our hearts and prayers.... (The Addam's, Tita Jovy, Tito Randy, Chloe & Stacey)

mikey,you will always in my heart just looking at your pictures tells me that your just  around watching us  love you.....

Mikey, how can I forget when you were a little baby - you dance in the tune of "Ato ti bonjing," you were super cuddly and cute. Although i didn't see you much when you were a teen, I was a proud cousin to see your creations and success. I wish i could have seen you as a handsome young man. I will truly miss you and your sweet voice. Your family will always be in my prayers.

I met Mikey through his parents who currently care for my mother. I will always remember the special dinners and the desserts he provided, his special smile and entire sense of caring made everyone feel good and feel welcomed.I will miss that child and pray he finds peace. I pray also for the comfort of his parents, brothers and sisters and friends.

We will never stop missing you.
You will always be remembered for your talent, smile and caring heart.
You are forever in my heart and always in my thoughts.

Hola! im still watching your you tube videos..im keeping ur memory alive..Such a heartache that we haven't seen each other for a long time then you were gone..Take care over there! and watch over us! We miss u!

It's been almost 5 months.  It feels like you just went on vacation and decided to stay there.  

Mikey, you will always be in my heart.

"What moves through us is a silence, a quiet sadness, a longing for one more day, one more word, one more touch, we may not understand why you left this earth so soon, or why you left before we were ready to say good-bye, but little by little, we begin to remember not just that you died, but that you lived. And that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget"
I love you Mikey !!!

I've met Jene through an online gardening group, it is also through the post of my other gardening friends I've learned and witnessed his God given gift when it comes to creativity. How ever short his stay was on this world, I know his memories. specially to those people whom he touched will forever live in their hearts.

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

I first met Jene back on September 2010, when he friend requested me on Facebook.  We hit it off immediately, even joking about how much I looked like a Filipino, even though I'm Puerto Rican.  I used to call him my little brother and loved him as such.  We hung out twice in Vegas and were supposed to hang out again this year.  I will miss him terribly.

I met Jene in an online gardening forum.  I thought he was an old farmer since he knew so much about various plants.  I was shocked to learn that he was so young. He had many talents for his tender young age - gardening, cake baking, and writing. He also had an endearing personality. I am very sad that he is gone so soon. My prayers go up for his family.

What a loss to so many. Rylan and I shared an interest in not only cake decorating, but in our love of animals and gardening. We shared horticulture tips and stories of our failures and successes. He was a talented photographer and, although we never had an opportunity to meet in person, we enjoyed a fun Face Book friendship. It is an understatement to say that he will be missed. May the family be comforted in their time of sorrow.

Rylan  there are no words to express my sadness.. I will miss our late night conversations from cake to just plan crazy fun stuff. I will never forget you calling me and singing  Happy Birthday to me. It was AWESOME ! Till we meet again my friend !

Jene was one of the very first friends I made in High School back in California. He was the sweetest person I met in school, he was always generous and kind. Never stopped smiling regardless his mood. You'll be in my heart forever Jene! I'll love you always!

May God bless you and give you and your family strengh to endure. I knew of Rylan and his generosity tru CC. He was so kind and giving. I admire his work and his love for sharing his knowledge. He will always be remember by our cake community!

Such an amazing person inside and out! stood as a an inspiration to many. He brought so many happy moments in our life and left us with a treasure trove of memories. We will never be able to forget him. May his soul rest in peace.

God bless your soul. Pagpalain ka ng Panginoon... I don't know anything about you... Had I known you, I would've spoken to you.. I am also a Filipino and just starting to learn about cake decorating. You must be really, really good. Wherever you are now, I hope you are at peace.

To the Family...
From across the Oceans we send our heartfelt thoughts to you all.

How fortunate was i to meet with Rylan last year in Las Vegas....
We met for breakfast....we laughed - we ate chocolate - and we talked Cake.

And now, my eyes burn with tears.
There is now, and always will be an empty place in the World, now that you have gone... If only you knew how much joy you bought to so many

So surely missed - so dearly remembered.
Goodbye my Ganaching friend
Maxine & Mark - Perth - Western Australia.
(Bluehue - CC)  xx

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

I did not know Rylan personally. I've never had enough courage to contact such an amazing talent.  I admired his work and  he will be always  my  great inspiration. It is such a great loss not only to family and loved  ones, but for a Cake world too. My condolences  to his family and friends. Rest in Piece Jene

I only knew Rylan (Jene) through Cake Central, the CC magazine & his website.
I really loved how much he liked to garden & show pictures of what he was growing on his Blog. He was a humble person & his talent in cake design & the exquisite work he did was outstanding! My heart goes out to his family, our loss is great but their loss is the greatest! God Bless You All.

June Cooper,  Kauai, Hawaii

I did not personally know Rylan. His work, kind spirit, determination and keen sense of design has astounded many in the caking community. Our love and prayers are with you and yours during this difficult time. <3

I have only known Rylan through his work. I was totally floored by it. He was so young, talented and was on his way to a brilliant future. I can't even begin to imagine what his family is going through. He & his are in our prayers.

I also knew Rylan thru the cake community, and though we never met in person, he enriched my life thru humor, caring and friendship. Im so sad ~ not just for myself but for your family .. no family should have to bury their child .. I will always remember his sweet spirit. Im so sorry for your loss

I have only known Jene for a few years, but in that short time, he left quite an impression on me, and the entire cake industry worldwide. Jene embodied the spirit of the cake community the world-over with his exuberance and passion. He had a natural eye for design and art well beyond his young years, but as tremendous as his talent was, it was eclipsed by his humility and heart. Jene was an incredibly giving person and always tried to share the joy he found in cake. He was one of the sweetest and gentlest souls I have had the great pleasure of getting to know through CakeCentral.com, and he will be deeply missed.

Jene was a kind and caring friend to me. When I lost my Uncle Rod, with whom I shared a deep connection, in July 2010, Jene surprised me with a beautiful gift by creating a â€œNow and Thenâ€ cake, making a modern interpretation of the cake in my Uncle's decades-old wedding photo. Despite being already busy creating cakes for Martha Stewart magazine, Cake Central Magazine and the San Diego ICES convention, Jene not only found the time but was delighted to create this amazing memorial for me and all of my family members. I was so moved by his thoughtful gift that it still brings tears of joy each time retelling the story. His efforts gave me some brightness during a difficult moment in my life.

Jene's generous nature has left an indelible and positive mark on the cake industry. He led the way, showing that the cake decorating community could be inclusive, kind, giving and creative. Jene's influence will not be forgotten, and he will live on in the memories of all of the people he has touched.

I knew Rylan through the cake decorating community and he was such a gentle spirit with so much talent. His humor and sweetness will be missed.I am praying for the families strength during this difficult time.

I am so sorry for your loss, I didn't know Jene, but I loved his work.  Connie (Canada)

I am so sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences to his family. I was  touched  by Jene's  extreme artistic talent and incredible creations.

He was a very special person. Always kind and generous, willing to help in any way he could. I knew him, originally, through the cake community but got to know him on many other levels. It was a pleasure to have had him in my life and a sorrow that it was for such a short time. For his family: Please know that he touched many lives and he will not be forgotten and will always be treasured.

I got to know Rylan thru the cake community. I am so sad and heart broken to hear of this.  I am so sorry for your loss. He was such a nice young man it just breaks the heart. God Bless
Mrs K

My deepest condolences to all of his family and friends. Words cannot express exactly what we have lost with his passing. To simply say he was 'special' cannot give his creative genius justice. His talents, kindness and loving heart  will be remembered for so many years to come.

Jene was very funny, and nice. He will always be remember, my deepest condolences to all of your family...His art work and his warmest heart will always be remember.

Jene was a very sweet friend. He was very generous, warm and thoughtful. He will be sorely missed and always fondly remembered.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jene and his family.  Sincerely,  Sayward, Kenneth and Johanna Duffano

I am so sorry for your loss his artwork in cakes will always be remembered along with his generous nature the world has lost a wonderful person 
God bless you my love as you sleep 
Kay xxx

OBITUARY

Jene Mikey Michael Tanopo Nato III

January 18, 1989 – March 18, 2013

Palm South Jones Mortuary

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services