The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Boy who died from cancer inspires ‘play’ day
The city of Mentor is once again encouraging families to spend some time together.
City Council this week passed a resolution declaring April 8 “Family Play Day” in the city.
The resolution was inspired by the “overwhelming” public support and participation in the city’s Lego Day April 9 last year.
Lego Day was designated as such in honor of Jacob Goss, a 10-year-old Mentor resident who was battling a form of cancer. He died in August.
Jacob, “reminded us what is important in life through his example and his attitude; and our gift to him became his gift to us, through the bonds we rekindled with our loved ones,” the resolution reads.
“We’d like this to become a tradition in the community,” City
Manager Ken Filipiak said. “Obviously, it’s not binding. It encourages everyone to take some time off, set cell phones down for a day; maybe pick up a board game or whatever the case may be. Engage in some type of recreation and family time.”
Jacob was a fourthgrader at Garfield Elementary when the manager singled him out as a “hometown hero” in his 2016 State of the City address.
City officials became aware of Jacob after seeing signs of support posted on the school fence.
Mentor Community Relations Administrator Ante Logarusic called the school to find out who he was and whether the
“We’d like this to become a tradition in the community. Obviously, it’s not binding. It encourages everyone to take some time off, set cell phones down for a day; maybe pick up a board game or whatever the case may be. Engage in some type of recreation and family time.”
city could be of help. After learning of his love for Legos, funds and Lego sets were collected and delivered to Jacob in a fire truck and police cruiser.
Some city staff also attended his memorial service.
“Hundreds of families spent time together building Legos in his honor, but, at the end of the day, it was really for us,” Logarusic said.
Jacob’s mother, Heather Goss, is pleased that he is being remembered by the city again.
“He did leave a huge legacy of happiness,” she said.
Dad Jeff Goss noted that his elementary school is putting on a super-herothemed play in Jacob’s honor.
“He definitely isn’t going to be forgotten,” Jeff said. “He definitely touched a lot of people.”