Laid to Rest: Community Mourns a Child Whose Life Was Cut Short

“I don’t think it gets any darker than this,” said Rev. Dr. Tim Ives, as he addressed family and friends in the Scarborough Presbyterian Church in Briarcliff Manor who were gathered to mourn a 4-year-old boy whose short life was best remembered by his innocence and big smile.

Quoting Matthew 18:4, Ives spoke about Jesus’ special relationship with children, his welcoming of them into the Kingdom of Heaven.

“Each of us is filled with hope that this is not the end,” he said.

Jason “Jake” Reish was found dead Monday along with his semi-conscious mother, Manuela Morgado, 46, in Morgado’s Mamaroneck condo on 1035 E. Boston Post Rd. It was believed to be a murder-attempted suicide.

Morgado has been charged with second-degree murder of her son. She is being held without bail.

Jake Reish’s father, Dr. Tim Reish, his aunt Sara Reish Desmond, uncle Matthew Reish and family friend Jeff Manganello all spoke of the immensity of the loss of Jake Reish.

“We’ll have a special place in our hearts for this boy we love so dearly,” said Matthew Reish.

But for the father that would never hold teach his son to shave or fish, the words describing his feelings would be more difficult to articulate.

“I revised this about 17 times so I could adequately express my family’s feelings for that little boy,” Dr. Tim Reish said.

As an orthopedic surgeon who helps heal and mend broken bones, he realized he was powerless in the face of tragedy.

“This injury is, unfortunately, not fixable,” he said.

As Tim Reish described a dream he recently had where his son was standing outside a gate calling for him, his voice became choked with emotion.

“This is a wound that will never heal…There will be a permanent hole in our hearts and souls that will never be filled,” he said.

Following the mass, mourners silently filed out of the church into the blinding sunlight. 

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Further reading

Mother Accused of Son's Murder Banned From Communicating With Boy's Father

Neighbors of Alleged Murderer 'Devastated'

Father of Dead 4-Year-Old: 'We Will Never Comprehend'

Investigation Continues into Child's Death; Mother Held Without Bail

Mother Charged With Murder of 4-Year-Old Son

Four-Year-Old Found Dead in Mamaroneck