Jesse Reinier Van Sickle

Jesse Reinier Van Sickle of Sonoma, age 29, died September 15, 2014.

Jesse Reinier Van Sickle died of cardiac arrest on September 15, due to a congenital heart condition. Jesse was born in Massachusetts in 1985 and moved to Sonoma in 1995. He attended the Sonoma Charter School, Sonoma Valley High School, and Solo Quest, from which he graduated in 2005.

A regular sight around town, Jesse was biking near home when his heart gave out. He passed quickly and was surrounded by those he loved most. Despite the ups and downs of a life that was not always easy, Jesse never lost his appreciation for the good things-he had a ready laugh, an appreciation for the ridiculous, a love of bad movies, deeply felt sympathy for animals and the vulnerable, and a special place in his heart for Sonoma and lazy summer days on Lake George in the Adirondacks.

Jesse is survived by his parents, Jan and Robin Van Sickle of Sonoma; siblings Lee, Mike, and Matt; and his dogs Tucker and Lake. He is also survived by his grandparents, Lee Van Sickle and Ted and Shirley Halliday. He leaves behind many memories for his family: as a tiny baby covered head to toe in tubes and wires during one of his three open heart surgeries, as a towheaded boy with a ready smile and coke-bottle glasses, as a kind young man coming into his own. While Jesse’s heart had to work twice as hard to keep him alive, it was full of love. He was a warm and loving boy, and we will miss him dearly.

A remembrance of Jesse's life will be held on Sunday, October 5 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Sonoma; please call 707-529-8504 for details if you would like to attend.

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