Special 10th anniversary
Here is a tribute from Jaclyn's friend, Daniel. Thanks so much to him.
Has it really been 10 years already? In my mind, it could be another ten years, and it still feels like yesterday when I would see Jackie at school, or rehearse for our play or even laugh together about everything and anything.
I was asked to write something about Jackie. I’ll admit, it took me a while to figure out what I was going to say. After thinking about it, I decided I’m not going to talk about the past, but what happened in the future. I think it’s evident at this point that everyone who checks this page knows how I feel about Jackie. I loved that girl more than anything in the world, and I still do. What was so special about her? It was different for everyone, but also for me, not only was she the most beautiful girl in the world, but also she was the first person who truly knew me.
Let’s jump to the “now”. In order to understand what I’m about to say, you need to know my motivations behind this journey I’m about to tell you. During high school, I had no doubt in my mind that Jackie was destined to be the greatest movie star ever. I also know as a 17 year old and after finishing high school, most of us ended up in different places. I never wanted to be that guy who was 30 years old, and always wondered “what if?” So, thus began my journey into Hollywood. After high school, I took acting classes in most acting schools in Montreal. I wanted more than anything to have that opportunity to be in Hollywood with Jackie. We would be the two kids from St. George’s who became famous actors together. We would star in all kinds of movies. This is what a 17-year-old dreams about, especially when they care so much about someone. Unfortunately, things changed. When I found out about Jackie’s accident, I was deeply sad. When I look back on it all now, I don’t know whether it was shock, or denial, but I never thought of her as gone. She wasn’t gone. She was still here. I couldn’t call her or see her, but in my mind, she was still here. I really can’t explain it. I didn’t give up on the journey, and did everything I could to end up in Hollywood. I chased that dream for 8 years after High School. I was determined to get there, and share that dream with Jackie. After 3 college degrees, hard times, good times and lot’s of struggles, I made it to Hollywood. And I wasn’t alone. A year before I graduated from University of Miami and left to Los Angeles, I got Jackie’s initials tattooed on my arm. I wanted the whole world to see her. I know, I sound a little bonkers, but it’s just how I felt. If I was going to Hollywood, I was going with Jackie, and I was going to make sure everyone could see her name.
Well, I ended up in the film business. I was in the exact place I dreamed of 8 years ago. I worked in Beverly Hills; I was at some of the biggest talent agencies in the film business. I wasn’t an actor, but I worked with Talent Agents. I submitted actors for TV show, movies, I ate lunch at restaurants where actors like Josh Brolin, would be at the table beside me. I would be out on Friday night, sitting next to Corey Feldman and I was surrounded by all of Hollywood. I had a mentor as well, and he was Robert De Niro and Martin Scorcese’s former agent. I tell you all this for one simple reason, all these people I met, everywhere I went in Hollywood, I had Jackie with me. Everyone would see her initials on my arm, and in my mind, that means they acknowledged her, and she had a presence there. She was in Hollywood. The place she was destined to be.
After a while, I didn’t have the motivation anymore to deal with Los Angeles. For a variety of reasons, but as I write this, and look back on my experiences, one of my biggest motivations was to be in Hollywood with Jackie. I was in a place without the sole reason for being there. Therefore, I moved back to Miami and I’m very happy where I am. I don’t know if I have closure after this long journey. In fact, I don’t know if I will ever have closure. What I feel for Jackie is nothing crazy or different, it’s simple. I was a 17-year-old boy, who fell in love with someone beautiful. Someone who could make my heart beat fast, and who made me smile. We all had that someone special in our lives and for me, it happened when I was 17. I can say, I have never met anyone that I loved as much as her. She holds a special place in my heart, and sometimes I wonder what could have been, in this small world we live in. But at the end of the day, I had my time with Jackie, and I will forever love her.
Another beautiful tribute for Jaclyn by Ilan. Thanks so much to him for this and his permission.
10 years ago to this day, the world lost an angel. A woman with drive, passion and goals. Following her dreams and never letting them go. All the while inspiring every one she came in contact with to do the same.
The summer before her passing, I was blessed with the opportunity to sit down and talk with her at a camp reunion house party following the end of another great camp season. A conversation that I will never forget. A conversation that, in more ways than one, changed my life.
We began getting to know each other, outside of the camp life and delved into our dreams and passions. She was so young and had done so much already in such a short time and had so much to offer the world. Working on the tv show 15/love and being the voice of an iconic children's cartoon, I saw how much dedication there was in her eyes and wanted that for myself as well. Wanted to know how that felt. She asked me what my dreams were. My only one at the time was to become a successful Dj. A Dj that not only plays music but one that creates an atmosphere where everyone can forget about their troubles or worries and just live in that moment and enjoy my music.
I had just started out at the time, so I was new to the business but knew that's where i wanted to take my life.
She asked me to make a promise, one that i've kept even to this day. She said if that's your dream, then no matter what anyone says, you must promise me to follow it. Never give up on your dream and follow what makes you happy.
10 years later, I have accomplished all that I had set out to do and still continue to do what I love. If you follow your dreams and never give up on your passions then you'll never have to work a day in your life.
If I could say one thing to her, it would be Thank you. Thank you for giving me the motivation and inspiration for all that i've done while following my dreams.
I dedicate my last 10 years of Djing to you Jackie and know that you're smiling down on all that i've accomplished and happy knowing that I kept my promise.
You're missed always,
R.I.P. Jaclyn Michelle Linetsky
Amazing tribute by Emanuela De Matteis