Return to DeStefano Funeral Home Services Inc.
Tribute Wall
Loading...
G
Georgina Physentzou planted 3 trees in memory of Jacob Winterton
Thursday, March 26, 2026
3 trees were planted in memory of
Jacob Winterton
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-store/premium-tree-bg.jpg
My deepest condolences -This is an unimaginable loss felt by everyone who knew Jacob. May he rest in peace and his spirit live on through you.
Please wait
o
oshawa generals pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
From Rocco Tullio and the Oshawa General's Foundation
Please wait
T
Trina Palmer-Leitzke lit a candle
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/v2/candles/material_candle_white.jpg
I can’t imagine the grief you are experiencing. Jacob is now at peace. My prayers are for the family & friends that are moving forward one day at a time. Keep his memory alive in your hearts.
Condolences,
Trina Palmer-Leitzke
(Worked with Garth at RBC Insurance)
J
Joanne Gourgouvelis pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
In honor of Jacob’s life and the beautiful memories he leaves behind. The Gourgouvelis family
Please wait
C
Christine Evoy posted a condolence
Monday, March 30, 2026
Dear Lesley, Garth, and Ryan,
We were heartbroken to hear of Jake’s passing. There are no words for a loss like this.
Jake was such a special person - warm, kind, and so easy to love. We feel truly grateful to have known him and to have had him in our lives. I’ll always remember him in our kitchen, happily experimenting with baking pinwheels and decorating Christmas cookies, and the fun he had out on the trails, 4-wheeling, exploring caves, and hiking the cliffs. Those are just some of the moments we’ll never forget.
Our hearts ache for all of you, and for Julia, who we know meant the world to him, and stood by him with such love and strength.
Please know you are in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.
With deepest sympathy,
The Evoys
M
McKay family posted a condolence
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Lesley, Garth & Ryan
We are so heartbroken and sorry to hear this incredibly sad news of Jake's passing.
Our deepest condolences are sent to you and the rest of your family. Jake was an amazing friend and teammate and we are grateful for the wonderful memories from our hockey and soccer years together.
Sending you love and comfort during this difficult time.
Ed. Adam. Charlene & Kristin McKay
S
Shawn Camp posted a condolence
Sunday, March 29, 2026
I was gutted by the news of the passing of Jacob. When I first met him as a hockey Gryphon I was so impressed what a great young man he was. Considerate, thoughtful, and he had a terrific smile and a sharp sense of humour. As a feisty player who played bigger than his size with a skill set to match he was a perfect fit for our hockey family. His personality drew people to him and he was friends with everyone. He was a coach's dream and I was always impressed with the respect he had from his teammates and opponents. My condolences to the Winterton family and friends. Jacob will be dearly missed.
S
SImon-Serroul Family posted a condolence
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Please accept our sincerest condolences during this difficult time.
May your treasured memories of Jacob provide you with comfort. We remember him fondly.
With love,thoughts and prayers.
Shawn,Julie,Bradley and Mikael Simon-Serroul
S
Sandra L. Caswell pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Please wait
N
Nancy, Peter, Greg, Steph and Rachel LaChance pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Saturday, March 28, 2026
So incredibly sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all with heavy hearts.
Please wait
J
Jaxon Camp posted a condolence
Saturday, March 28, 2026
To the Wintertons,
Jacob was an incredible person and teammate that I had the privilege of playing with at the University of Guelph. Jacob’s kindness and compassion for others will not be forgotten. He will be greatly missed.
J
Jenn Goodchild lit a candle
Saturday, March 28, 2026
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/v2/candles/material_candle_navy.jpg
Dear Garth & Family,
We are so so sorry to hear of this tragic news.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jenn & the Taylor Forder Insurance Team
J
Jenn Goodchild pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Please wait
John Hope pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Very sorry for your loss.
Please wait
T
Terry, Kate, Sofia and Terry Jr. McDonnell pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Please wait
W
Whitby Office posted a condolence
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Lesley, Garth and Ryan,
Our hearts and thoughts are with you in the heartbreaking loss of your son and brother Jake.
Sending you all our love and support during this incredibly difficult time.
We've made a donation in his name to the Cancer Society and hope you know how very sorry we all are for your loss.
Sending you all big hugs.
Your Cooperators Whitby Office Family
W
Whitby Office pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Saturday, March 28, 2026
In memory of Jacob Winterton
Sending you love and hugs.
Your Co-operators Whitby Office family
Please wait
D
Diliana posted a condolence
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Dear Lesley, Garth and Ryan,
We are truly heartbroken to hear of Jacob's passing.
After 18+ years as neighbours, your boys felt like our own, and watching them grow up alongside our family is something we will always cherish.
Jacob was a wonderful young man and we are proud to have known him. Watching him grow and become his own self as the young man he became was a testament to what wonderful parents he had. His tight bond with Ryan was always evident, especially as Ryan's OHL and NHL career started.
There are simply no words that can fully express how deeply sorry we are for your loss. We are feeling the loss as well, our hearts are aching along with yours and the whole family.
We hope that the strength and love of your whole family’s bond, the Winterton, Kelly and Dunn families, will help carry you all through the days ahead. That your treasured memories will keep Jacob forever close in your hearts for many years to come.
Please know you have been in our thoughts and prayers since Jacob started his battle with cancer, and we will continue to have you in our prayers and thoughts. We send our love and support during this time. We pray that Jacob rests in peace...he will be missed by us all.
Roger, Diliana, Owen and Sofia Pazin
R
Richard Dyment posted a condolence
Saturday, March 28, 2026
My fondest memories of Jacob were of coaching him as a young boy
I ( Coach Rich) along with Coach Rob (Didanieli) would always look forward to the summertime when we could get our boys, Murray and Jake back on the pitch with Jacob and all the other hockey boys. He always brought a competitive spirit, an uncanny agility and quickness as well as a bright smile to the field. Such a kind soul… we will miss him. Our sincerest condolences to you Garth, Leslie and Ryan and may his spirit carry on through all of you.
With heartfelt love,
Rich and Victoria Dyment
M
Michele RAMPINO posted a condolence
Friday, March 27, 2026
Lesley, Garth, Ryan and family
We will remember Jacob fondly, his smile was something you didn’t just see—you felt it. May you find peace and comfort in all the wonderful memories.
We are thinking of you all and sending our love and heartfelt condolences.
Love Mike, Michele, Stephanie, Luke and Johnathan
T
The Caston Family lit a candle
Friday, March 27, 2026
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/v2/candles/material_candle_white.jpg
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dave, Nancy, Ally and Will Caston
S
Sarita, Jeremy, Jacob, Maya, Jeevan Elliott posted a condolence
Friday, March 27, 2026
Lesley, Garth, Ryan and family,
Please accept our families deepest condolences as you mourn the loss of Jacob...a beautiful young man taken far too soon. Although it's been many years since both of our Jacobs celebrated their friendship in grade school and those early years of hockey, we remember his warm and kind nature and some of the playful and innocent memories of their childhood in sandboxes, the McDonald's playhouse, hockey rinks, each others' backyards etc... Life takes it's twists and turns that no one can predict and as unjust and cruel as this turn was, I hope you have faith and believe that his soul is at peace now and that his passing was not in vain. When our Jacob fought for his life in 2018 after suffering his hemoraghic stroke, it was the love, support and prayers from friends, family, distant acquaintances and even strangers that gave us hope and the strength to navigate those difficult first months/years. Since we first heard of your Jacobs battle, we never stopped thinking of you all and prayed for a more positive outcome than this.
May this tragic loss bring you all closer as you support each other through these first difficult days/months/years and know that you too are surrounded by love and prayers of sooooo many people, including ours, to help guide you through them and to find hope again one day soon.
May God bless his soul for eternity and may you all find peace- holding Jacobs spirit close to your heart's, whilst continuing to share stories and memories to keep his legacy alive always.
Our sincere affection and deepest sympathy,
Sarita, Jeremy, Jacob, Maya and Jeevan Elliott
H
Heather Sellan posted a condolence
Friday, March 27, 2026
We are so sorry to hear of Jacob's passing. Sending our condolences to the entire family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Bruno, Heather and Brendan Sellan
J
John Wieringa pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Friday, March 27, 2026
F*ck Cancer!
Please wait
M
Monica Dyment posted a condolence
Friday, March 27, 2026
Ryan, Lesley and Garth,
Jacob was an exceptional student, athlete, friend and young man. Our fondest memories of Jacob will always be his endless positivity, his bright smile and his kind soul. We both feel so fortunate to have had the privilege of teaching and coaching him at Blair Ridge.
Please know that you are all in our thoughts and that we send strength, support and love to you at this challenging time.
May he rest easy now.
Monica and Rob Dyment
M
Mark Graham posted a condolence
Friday, March 27, 2026
Garth,
Please accept our heartfelt condolences for the loss of your son Jacob as we heard the news of his passing.
Our hearts are with you and your Family during this difficult time. Remember that he has left massive footprints that you taught him on all the people he interacted with in his short life and they will never fade ! We wish that you find comfort in the love and support of those around you, and that you relish and cherish those fond memories your Family holds of Jake.
May he rest easy now. Your Friends Mark Graham and Donna Evans
S
Suzanne Lee lit a candle
Friday, March 27, 2026
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/v2/candles/material_candle_white.jpg
Lesley, please accept our heartfelt condolences. We hope you and your family find comfort, strength, and peace in the cherished memories of Jacob and the legacy he leaves behind. Suzanne Lee & Patrick Lau
J
Jose Gonzalez posted a condolence
Friday, March 27, 2026
I'm so sorry for your loss. My heart is hurting as much as it was when I lost my Son to Pancreatic cancer stage 4 at 29. If there's anything we could hold onto is al the beautiful memories you and I have with our boy's, your life will never be the same, but you have to agree with me that your Son and mine are in a better place, and in peace. Again so sorry for your loss. My sincere and deepest condolences to you, his family, friends, and to the hockey community
C
Cynthia Harper posted a condolence
Friday, March 27, 2026
Julia & Jacob's family,
There are hardly any "right" words to say in times of grief & sorrow. You are all in our hearts & prayers.
Jacob is free of the pain now & I am certain he has already joined in on a pick up game or two by now.
One is never truly gone when they live in the hearts & minds of all those that loved them.
Our hearts break with you,
Aunt Marjorie & Cindy
C
Cynthia Harper pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Friday, March 27, 2026
With hearts full of love, Aunt Marjorie, Stephen & Cindy
Please wait
V
Vanessa Sinclair-Day lit a candle
Friday, March 27, 2026
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/v2/candles/material_candle_blue.jpg
Lesley, I am deeply sorry for the loss of your son Jake. Getting to work with you and talking with you about the hockey parent life, it brought such joy seeing you light up talking about your boys. There are no words. Sending you Garth, Ryan, and all that loved him my sincere condolences, you are in my thoughts. Sending you and yours love and support during this difficult time.
Vanessa.
M
Michelle Rooney pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Friday, March 27, 2026
We are truly sorry for your Heartbreaking Loss.
Please wait
N
Nicole Jordan pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Friday, March 27, 2026
I’m so deeply sorry for your loss. Sending my heartfelt condolences to you all.
Nicole Jordan
Please wait
P
Potoula Tsoukas posted a condolence
Friday, March 27, 2026
We are so deeply sorry for the loss of your son Jacob. Sending you all strength and prayers. Our sincere condolences to everyone. May his memory be eternal. Peter, Potoula Tsoukas and Family
P
Peter Paczoski posted a condolence
Thursday, March 26, 2026
My deepest condolences. I never met Jacob, but I remember Garth always talking about him and the hockey Dad experiences. Rest in peace.
M
Miki Paczek pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Thursday, March 26, 2026
We are so sorry for your loss - thinking of your family during this time.
Please wait
P
Patricia Schott pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Thursday, March 26, 2026
In memory of a courageous young man.
Please wait
H
Hina Shahid posted a condolence
Thursday, March 26, 2026
With my deepest sympathies, thinking of you and your family during this difficult time.
Hina
K
Krista Gogosis pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Please wait
N
Nancy E Schroeder uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, March 26, 2026
/public-file/8574/Ultra/a9f0609d-6f3c-4def-a074-09a1047b8345.jpeg
Our sincere condolences to Garth and Lesley his brother Ryan and partner Alexa. Also our granddaughter and partner of Jacob Julia Street. Julia introduced us to Jacob at Rob and Cathy’s home we have loved him and had the greatest respect for this young man.
It is with great sadness that we have to say Rest in Peace Jacob.
With much love Nan and Ivan
D
Debbie MacRury posted a condolence
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Lesley and family, I am so very sorry to hear about your beautiful boy Jacob. There are no words to ease your pain but know that so many people are thinking of you all and of Jacob. I am sending love and support to you at this time of unimaginable sorrow.My deepest condolences Debbie MacRury
P
Patricia Schott posted a condolence
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Jake fought so hard-his courage touched so many people. You raised an incredible young man. We were also in awe of the love and strength you showed thoughout this past year. A true testament to Jake's bravery. Take care of yourselves and each other now. Lesley, Garth, Ryan, Julia and extended family. We sent our deepest condolences.
Love, Patricia (Nana Pat) and George
N
Nick Walsh posted a condolence
Thursday, March 26, 2026
There are no words for such an unimaginable loss. Wishing your family strength and peace during this incredibly difficult time.
P
Paul Birley posted a condolence
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Dear Julia and the Winterton family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss.
Praying for you today Julia and the whole family.
Your neighbours, The Birleys
T
The Street’s uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, March 26, 2026
/public-file/8573/Ultra/adf9d459-e9e4-4a00-b4cf-c5b8c4d3f971.png
Rest easy Jacob
Our deepest Condolences to our daughter Julia, Scotch, Garth, Lesley, Ryan, Alexa, Eddy and the entire Winterton Family.
Thank you Julia for making Jacob a part of our lives, we are truly blessed! ( amazing Uncle to Emerson )
Love always and forever Rob, Cathy, Nicholas, Brandon, Larisa and Emerson
G
Georgina Physentzou lit a candle
Thursday, March 26, 2026
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/v2/candles/material_candle_white.jpg
S
Stephanie Gallagher pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Sending so much love to you all
Stephanie, Eugene, Mackenzie, Jonathan and Meghan xoxo
Please wait
H
Harold & Judy Jordan posted a condolence
Thursday, March 26, 2026
So very sorry to Julia, and Jacob’s entire family for your great loss.
Harold & Judy Jordan
A
Anonymous planted a tree in memory of Jacob Winterton
Thursday, March 26, 2026
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-store/memorial-tree.jpg
Please wait
R
Ryan Macdermid uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, March 26, 2026
/public-file/8572/Ultra/Image_jpg.jpg
Bears forever
T
Thomas Gogosis pledged to donate to Canadian Cancer Society - Sarcoma Research
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Please wait
T
Terri Richard posted a condolence
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Heartfelt condolences during this incredibly difficult time. Our thoughts are with you all, and I hope you find comfort and strength in the support of those around you ~ Team Winterton. Terri & Gene Richard
M
Melanie Schott uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, March 26, 2026
/public-file/8567/Ultra/cc0bd499-8376-472e-9e7b-f32eb45e2015.jpeg
/public-file/8568/Ultra/7ab0ea8f-c1ef-45ef-aff5-8ca542cb34aa.jpeg
/public-file/8569/Ultra/5f8e82eb-f15f-4901-b59b-1e873cc44874.jpeg
/public-file/8570/Ultra/424318f3-52d1-4b57-8574-a0241b7af3a7.jpeg
+ 1
There are no words that feel big enough for a loss like this… but Jacob deserves to be remembered for the incredible person he was.
Jacob wasn’t just my son’s friend… he was part of our family. Our lives were woven together through countless memories, tournaments, long weekends at the cottage, vacations, and all the in-between moments that now feel so unbelievably precious.
He was the kind of kid everyone gravitated toward. An amazing athlete, yes… but more than that, he was a genuinely good person. The kind of friend you hope your child finds in life. Loyal, kind, and always able to make everyone laugh. That smile, those blue eyes, his jokes… he had a way of lifting a room without even trying.
Watching the boys grow up together, you don’t realize in the moment how special those years are… but looking back now, I feel so incredibly grateful to have witnessed the friendship they shared and the young man Jacob became.
My heart is completely shattered for Les and Garth, who are such an important part of my family’s lives. They loved him beyond measure. There is nothing harder than this… and no parent should ever have to endure it.
Jacob will forever be part of our story… in every memory, every laugh, every moment we shared.
You will be missed more than words can ever say.
T
Tanya, Ethan and Will Moore planted a tree in memory of Jacob Winterton
Thursday, March 26, 2026
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-store/memorial-tree.jpg
Our hearts break for your entire family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Please wait
A Memorial Tree was planted for Jacob Winterton
Thursday, March 26, 2026
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-store/memorial-tree.jpg
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at DeStefano Funeral Home Services Inc.
Please wait
J
The family of Jacob Winterton uploaded a photo
Thursday, March 26, 2026
/tribute-images/4709/Ultra/Jacob-Winterton.jpg
Please wait
E
Eric Johnston posted a condolence
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Garth, Lesley, Ryan, and family—
there are no words that can truly meet this moment.
We simply want you to know that you are not alone, and that Jacob’s life—and your love for him—matter deeply to all of us.
Today, we stand with you in grief, in love, and in remembrance of a child who touched all of us.
May you never doubt how deeply he is loved, how deeply he mattered, and how deeply you are held by those around you.
Thank you for sharing him with us. We will carry his memory, and we will carry you, in the days ahead.
Jacob was diagnosed with stage four bone cancer in April of 2025.
What followed was a courageous fight—one no child, and no parent, should ever have to face.
I want to share a few thoughts on hope.
People often say tomorrow is a new day.
But sometimes tomorrow comes, and it offers no hope at all.
And without hope, we feel like we have nothing.
We ask why—why this, why him—and there are no real answers,
especially when bad things happen to someone so young, so good.
The pain doesn’t just disappear.
And it shouldn’t.
Pain is the price of love.
Anger and frustration come with grief.
They are difficult, but they need to be felt—because only by feeling them can we begin to move forward.
Hope isn’t pretending everything is okay.
Hope is what helps us endure when things are not okay.
The energy of hope is unlimited—but sometimes we can’t find it on our own.
That’s when friends and family carry it for us.
Without hope, our minds go to dark places.
Without hope, even love can feel distant.
But hope changes.
It grows quieter.
It becomes smaller—and stronger.
We hope the suffering ends.
We hope the love remains.
We hope we will meet again.
And in all of this, there is still the hope of love—
love that does not end,
love that stays with us,
love that carries Jacob’s memory forward.
If there is anything we can do for one another now, it is this:
help each other find hope when it feels impossible to find alone.
Jacob mattered.
He is loved.
And he will not be forgotten.
May we hold space for grief—and still leave room for hope.
Love remains. And because love remains, so does hope.
Love always - the CGG boys.

