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Grieving father wrote book to honour son's wishes Teenager Jonathan Leitao became a source of inspiration and comfort to his family BY SIMONE JOSEPH Lifestories sjoseph@yrmg.com CONTRIBUTED PHOTO 29 | Stoufville Sun-Tribune | Thursday, March 31, 2016 A celebration of lives well lived and people well loved Read more Life Stories on yorkregion.com y the end of his short life, Jonathan Leitao had travelled to 15 countries. His father, Vince Leitao, remembers the time his family -- he and his wife Espy, son Jonathan and older son Matthew -- took an excursion on a submarine during a Caribbean vacation. Leitao remembers how excited Jonathan was by the visually stunning displays and all the other trips the family took together. Unfortunately, young Jonathan was also forced to travel a journey no parent wants his or her child to take. Jonathan began feeling sick in October of 2013. After that, he endured tests, surgery and hospital admissions. In May 2014, he was diagnosed with a type of untreatable liver cancer that is extremely uncommon in patients under age 25. Doctors predicted he had four to nine months to live. For Vince and Espy Leitao, this devastating news was incomprehensible. This was their beloved son who loved practising basketball for hours in the driveway of their B Book Jonathan, Do You Know Me? is personal story of loss and grief transcended by a spiritual awakening. within himself that liberated him." This teenager became a pillar of wisdom and strength for his family. "It was a tragedy," Leitao said. "Our kid was dying, yet comfort was coming from him. He asked me, `Are you going to be OK?' I said `no'. He said, `You have to accept it, let go, then you will be OK.' I never taught him that. Where does a 16-year-old get this insight, this wisdom?" Jonathan was a student at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Elementary School in Richmond Hill and went on to attend St. Theresa of Lisieux Catholic High School. His obituary explains his final months. "For the last 10 months he suffered bravely and patiently, prayerfully hoping for a cure. He eventually accepted that he is going home after just about 16 years on this earth, and helped us accept and let go." Jonathan wanted to help other sick children, to explain to them the procedures he'd had so they wouldn't be afraid. When he became sick, he realized he couldn't do this and was Your community newspaper is celebrating the achievements and contributions of everyday, ordinary people, who have affected the lives of others in extraordinary ways. Leaving a lasting impression on the community, our award-winning journalists will write a fitting tribute in memory of those who have a special story to share. Through your community newspaper and LifeNews.ca, we celebrate those no longer with us and remember the memories we share. Jonathan Leitao (right) travelled to many countries with his big brother Matthew, and parents Vince and Espy, and inspired his family during his tragic journey through cancer and spiritual awakening. Richmond Hill home. But when told he was dying, Jonathan had little anguish, his father said. He cried for about 20 minutes. After that, he spoke like it was an event that was happening and moved on, Leitao said. "That's what changed my life," Leitao said. "Jonathan said: `I'm not afraid to die. It's nothing'," Leitao said. "I was amazed, looking at the way he was holding himself (together) and talking. It's a spirit hoping his father could help such children, instead. Leitao wrote a self-published book Jonathan, Do You Know Me? From loss of a child to spiritual awakening, published in 2015. It is a personal story of loss and grief transcended by a spiritual awakening. Proceeds from the book are being donated to The Hospital for Sick Children Foundation in honour of Jonathan. Leitao knows his son would also have been happy to learn of his advocacy for changes to Ontario's Employment Standards Act. Leitao has lobbied for the introduction of Jonathan's Law, a bill dedicated to the memory of Jonathan that requests a provision of up to a 52-week bereavement leave for parents who lose a child. Go to www.vinceleitao.com for more information. Jonathan, Do You Know Me: From loss of a child to spiritual awakening is available at amazon. ca L ife stories "Adored by children, universally respected and an inspiration to her peers, Mrs. McCluskey was a tireless volunteer, quick to deflect the praise heaped on her." Celebrate a life well lived! FOR MORE INFORMATION or to contact one of our professional writers please call Newmarket/Aurora EG Tracy Kibble ..................905-853-8888 Georgina & Bradford Ted McFadden .............905-853-8888 Markham, Bernie O'Neill ...............905-294-2200 Stouffville Jim Mason ....................905-640-2612 Vaughan & King PaulChampion Futhey...................905-264-8703 Kim Richmond Hill/Thornhill Marney Beck ................905-294-2200