JAKOB SIRLIN:
February 10, 2007 - July 17, 2025

Jakob Sirlin died on July 17, 2025. He was born on February 10, 2007 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and lived in Squirrel Hill. No one had a better life. He packed a lifetime of joy, fun, hard work and adventure into his 18 years.

Jakob had a unique gift of doing everything he needed to do-for school, work, coaching, the clubs he was in and the teams he was on, while never compromising on what he wanted to do-being with his friends, golfing and traveling. And drawing, sculpting or sewing something new. He woke up every morning with a plan that was going to make him fulfilled and happy for that day.

Jakob graduated from Allderdice High School as a Valedictorian. He was a member of the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council and the National Honor Society. He was the driver for the Allderdice Steel Dragons Robotics Team that went to the World Championship in Houston his senior year. He played all four years on the Allderdice Dragons Boys Soccer Team and for Steel City FC. He coached and refereed youth basketball games at the Jewish Community Center. He volunteered at the Friendship Circle. And he washed dishes and sometimes ran the cash register at the Frick Park Market.

Jakob was also a talented artist. He made drawings, paintings, sculptures, typefaces, posters, logos, costumes and clothing. He was excited about attending the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in the fall and learning more about industrial, graphic and apparel design.

Jakob loved, and was loved by, his family. His parents, Sarah and Brett, who loved him more than anything in this world. His big brother, Nate, who was his best friend. His grandparents, Joyce, Jerry and Barbara. His Uncle Dave and Aunt Liz. And his cousins Miles, Isaac, Sammie, Ari, Tamar, Kayla and Hailey.

Jakob also loved, and was loved by, his friends. Haydon, Asher, Dylan, Graham, Porter, Landon, Charlie, Ryan, Chelsea, Frankie, Lili, Aivlen, Camilla and McKenna. And literally hundreds more.

And Jakob loved, and was loved by, the parents and siblings of his friends. As well as his teachers, coaches, teammates, co-workers and the players who he coached.

Jakob was a light. He could talk to anyone-old or young-and make them feel important and included. When Jakob first came into this world, he changed our lives forever. And now, just like that, our lives are changed again. Forever.

Donations can be made to a scholarship at Allderdice in his name: gofundme.com/donate-in-memory-of-jakob-sirlin

Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc.