We called him G-man

My son Shea and Giacomo grew up 10 months apart which is ironic because that’s just about how far apart Mary and I are in age and we have watched each other grow up,  just as we were watching our son’s grow up. Mary & I were both late starters into motherhood and both had only one son, that we cherished every wonderful moment with.  I was lucky enough to share in some of those wonderful moments with Giacomo.  When our son’s were young we would get them together a few times a year to play, and do fun things with them. We took them to the zoo, picked pumpkins at the pumpkin patch, and let them run on playgrounds. We had sleepovers, and before bed, we would bath them, taking pictures so we could later tease them when they were in high school about how adorable they both were. When Giacomo and Shea were really young, my son Shea could not say Giacamo, so he would call him Mo Mo, but he also called his Elmo, Mo Mo, so we had to come up with a way to distinguish the two, especially when Shea would stay the night and take his Mo Mo to Gaicamo’s house and so this is where Giacomo got his nickname we always had for him and that was G or G-man which my son later asked me how did G-man get such a cool name? Its like a super hero. I had to explain to Shea that was not his real name but you could not say his real name when you were really little so that was the name we gave him, he then decided he too wanted to have a superhero name like Giacomo. I always said Giacomo’s superpower was his love of life, he loved life and everyone in it, and isn’t that a superpower we all would like to have. He had one other superpower and that was his trademark smile, when Giacomo would smile at you, you wanted to give him the world, and I think this is why his parents Mary and Jeff did just that. I always wanted to tell him it was working, look at the amazing life Giacomo lived in his short time on this earth. He got to see the world and took his superpower with him where ever he went……that Smile and his love of life. I always looked forward to that smile at our annual lunches at the Rainforest cafe as Giacomo was growing up, he was changing fast, but that smile remained the same.  When I think of Giacomo now, I remember not only the love we had for him, but the love he always gave, and especially the love he had for both of his parents Mary and Jeff…… and of course I’ll always see that smile. As I sit here wishing (as we all do) that we could watch Giacomo grow into the wonderful, handsome, loving man we all knew he was always going to be, I’ll take the consolation prize of thinking he is smiling down on all of us, with his big heart that was filled with love, the love he not only got from his parents Mary & Jeff, but from all of us. 

It really was your super power G-man because the love you gave, and that trademark smile is left imprinted on our hearts forever. 

Forever remembering you…….
Carrie Silveria-Kirby

A Little More Love

Lately Giacomo has been popping up in my head more often then before. I think because of quarantine and school my emotions have been a blur, but now I have more time to process. I thought with time the feelings would dull and become less painful, but I noticed that even within months my mind has grown, and there’s more room for feelings and deeper thoughts.

There is no way to say this in a way that someone hasn’t already. Giacomo was a special human. And not in a weird way like the word special is used most of the time, though his goofiness was definitely a key personality trait. He was kinder, more thoughtful, more deep than anyone I had met before, and yet he could make light out of sad conversation without ruining it. He made me laugh and instantly trust him with all of my secrets, and he was so easy to talk to. He was friends with everyone, but had a close circle of friends that he never let go of. 

When trying to describe him to others that never knew him, I struggle. Most people tend to talk about the good things when someone dies, and there is no exception with Giacomo. Except that Giacomo was better than most people, so when describing him, you can’t stress it enough.

But sometimes I forget that Giacomo was a typical teenage boy. He loved his X-box and soda and making edgy jokes and he didn’t like to do homework and I love him for that.
But I think my favorite thing about him was his un embarrassment to show love. He loved his parents and his dog and his friends and his cousins and his jaritos and thats a personality trait I think we could all use a little more of. Because love shouldn’t be a thing we’re embarrassed of showing.

So thank you, Ms. and Mr. Torcaso for raising a kid that could show us more about what life is about, to enjoy the time you have and to show love a little more.

—Madeleine Koenig

Love From the Aussie Meyers Family

How to write what we are feeling… it is such a hard thing to do and no words will truly be adequate in expressing how we feel. The Aussie Meyers family grew to know Giacomo via annual collages of family highlights sent to us around Christmas from the Torcaso-Meyers’. That sweet baby in a box was the start of many photos of Giacomo we received as he grew to such an inquisitive, gentle and loving lad.

Great Uncle Mike was able to meet Giacomo in 2009 when Mike flew to USA to visit with his brothers, one being Giacomo’s grandfather, Tom. Mason, Bradley and I (Great Aunt Wendy) met Giacomo in January 2019 when we visited Seattle. The meal at Ray’s was the first time we actually met Giacomo who was a little shy but willingly chatted with us even with our strange accent. Another visit to the family home, and a dig through all the children’s books sent to him each Christmas, on display in the living room. I had shared my love of a favourite Australian author, Mem Fox, with Giacomo over many years and Mary told me the family favourite was Wombat Divine, which was one of my favourites too. What a welcome we had received from everyone on that visit.

Mason had promised that next time he visited with Giacomo that they would play some video games as time did not allow during that visit. When Bradley received the opportunity for a job at the University of British Columbia, we were all excited as this meant he would be close to his Seattle family. He and I flew to Canada in September 2019. Jeff, Mary, Giacomo and August spent a weekend in Vancouver and we got to spend time with the family visiting Science World, eating out and chatting, even sometimes about Grid Iron football, especially the Seahawks. Bradley and I knew a little about football because (Great Uncle) Mike still watched it whenever it was available on TV in Western Australia.  I love the photo of us outside The Flying Pig, in Gastown. 

Bradley was fortunate to spend his first cold Christmas with the Torcaso-Meyers family, enjoying his holiday in Seattle, getting to know his extended family, whose company he enjoyed. I know Bradley treasures the time spent with Giacomo. Each day, on WhatsApp, he would send me photos and tell me about what he was doing and every day activities with Giacomo were mentioned. The whole family spoilt Bradley and it will always be a special memory for him. I know Bradley enjoyed playing music, board games, bowling, watching football (and learning about the rules) and especially his first foray into building a gingerbread house with Giacomo. The boys (Bradley and Giacomo) even used a Caramello Koala and a Freddo Frog as guards at the doorway. A very Aussie flavour. 

Giacomo touched our lives in such a short time of actually meeting with him, making a significant impact on his Aussie family. Giacomo was, in a way, so like Wombat Divine in that he had “…a heart full of hope and a head full of dreams…” which is so evident from the snippet written on the Treehouse fundraising site. We send our love and thoughts to the family and friends, who so eloquently describe this lovely young lad, and through them his memory will live on.

– Mason, Bradley and Wendy Meyers

Hot Wheels

I never had Giacomo as a “regular” student, but saw him in many different settings after retiring and plying my trade as a sub.  Giacomo was always kind to everyone and had a wonderful sense of fun.  One day I saw Giacomo struggling down the hall on a new set of crutches.  I had broken my leg the year before and knew what a pain this could be.

“Don’t worry, Giacomo.  This too shall pass.”

“There”s got to be a better way!” he groaned.

Later that day I saw Giacomo cruising down the hallway with a big grin on his face.  Ms. Dunn and Ms. Elaine had given him his own set of wheels, a long forgotten little wheelchair in the office closet.

– Marianne Scurlock

My Memories with Giacomo

I still don’t think I have all the words I need to express how much I miss and cared about Giacomo. I’ve been trying to put my feelings into music as well, but even that is tough. I don’t exactly know how I feel at the moment because I’ve never experienced this before. 
 The only thing I’d wish for right now is to have him here so he could see how many people love and care about him. I wish he could be with his family and friends again. I wish we all could’ve said goodbye. I wish we could say hello again. I wish none of us had to go through this pain. I wish he could’ve continued his life because that’s what he deserved. I believe he would’ve had an amazing future ahead of him. 

He had such a happy and positive spirit. He was intelligent, kind, thoughtful, supportive, caring, inclusive, talented, trustworthy, generous, and so much more. Giacomo was always there for me and I appreciated that about him. He knew how to make everyone smile and laugh better than anybody else could. I feel so honored that I was lucky enough to have been his friend. I’m thankful that I have so many memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. 

One of my favorite memories with him is when we went to the Magnolia pool. Afterwards, I got to drive in the car with his adorable dog. Augie sat on my lap while his head faced Giacomo. It made both of us laugh a lot! Another great memory is when the school musical ended. I think we were one of the only kids left at the party when the adults started karaoke. It was so fun because his mom sang a song with a few of the other adults. He looked very embarrassed 😉 .  

Even simple memories like these are so nice to remember. I thought it was so funny when he used to randomly start rapping songs I didn’t know, tell me to feel how soft his hair was after he got haircuts (it was VERY soft), and jokingly bump into me in the halls during passing periods. One time before the school musical auditions, Giacomo and Ms. Torcaso came to our house. He said for his audition, he was going to sing a song from Moana. Of course, we all pleaded him to sing it for us. He did. It was lovely. I recall he even had to sing, “I wish I could be the perfect daughter.” which made us all laugh. I bet he was the perfect son.  The last memory I’d like to share is when I went to his house and we watched shows, chased Augie around the dining room, and jumped on his trampoline. He showed me many of his impressive tricks. 

 I have many more big and small memories with him, but those are the ones that remind me of some of his best qualities. 

 I think the worst thing for me right now is that I’ll never get to see him again. But whenever I think that, I just remind myself that even though it was a short life, I think it was a really great one. 

 I love looking back at the pictures and short videos I have of him. I wish I had many more. But even if he’s not next to me, I’m definitely looking forward to seeing him in my dreams. 🙂

Zoe Papadakis

Easter Egg Hunts

I fondly remember numerous Easter celebrations at our place with adults hiding eggs, later sending the kids out to retrieve them (and adults trying to remember where they hid them when getting close to the egg count).  Rogan and Giacomo would get head starts as they were the youngest.  

Candy eggs could be kept, but all money eggs had to be emptied  into the general fund and then equally distributed among them… their introduction to socialism.

– June Deeds

Hugs and love

Jeff and Mary my heart goes out to you.  Mary and I met in grad school many, many years ago. I only had the chance to meet Giacomo once. My daughter Meg and Giacomo were 2 years old and we ran into all of you at the Bellevue Square kids play area.  I immediately knew that Giacomo would be a kind, caring  person just looking at his sweet eyes and knowing who was raising him! 
I have no words to make you feel better or make this easier, I am sorry for both of you.  I’m sending you hugs and love. xoxox

–Jill Corsi

G-Man in his element

My most excellent host, Giacomo!

During the spring of 2017 fellow teacher Mary invited my son and I to spend a weekend in Pacific City, Oregon to enjoy the solar eclipse path of totality with their family and friends. They were all renting a beach house overlooking the tide pools, sand, and waves.

 I was reluctant and shy.  I considered saying thanks but no thank you. Fortunately it’s not easy to bag out on sincere, gracious, inclusive people like Jeff, Mary, and of course Giacomo.  

On the way out of town we zipped over to West Seattle and picked up Laura, another teacher pal of Mary’s from Southshore. She had known Giacomo since he was just a mere pup. I had never met Laura, but there was something about the Meyers-Torcaso vibe that made it seem right as rain, so we headed south together for the blotting out of the sun fun.

Teachers and students alike always have an odd time imagining each others lives outside of school and the classroom. I was actually a bit apprehensive about spending time with a student in an unfamiliar setting. Wilbur was scared of being the new kid and not knowing anyone.  We finally pulled up to the beach house, smelled the salt, and knocked on the door.

Our fears were instantly washed away like a sandcastle. Instead of a large cold wave, there stood Giacomo, with that sweet sincere smile of his, followed his MOST ADORABLE DOBERMAN PUPPY, August. Taped ears and all. That weekend I got to interact with Giacomo and see him in his comfort zone of love and laughs.  Amongst his beloved family and life long friends, I witnessed a giving, kind, silly kid who was so attentive and caring of us and his dear dog.

At one point someone got the idea to climb this hulking sand dune that basically forms the cape there at Pacific City. The sun was high overhead, the wind was literally whipping sand in our faces, and the grade was steep. It was tough going for all of us. I was a bit worried we’d make it.

G-Man, as I took to calling him was bringing up the rear of the hike with his mom.  I never actually got confirmation if Giaciomo was ok with that nickname because at school that fall when I’d say good morning G-Man, he would just give me that confident but quiet smile like it’s okay Mr. Mead, I know you’re kind of goofy. I liked those before school hall passings. A teacher’s kid gets used to it.

Anyways, I was hoping he’d trudge up that sand mountain. And he did! I learned that Giacomo did not give up easily. Giacomo accepted and welcomed anyone he could share a smile with or explore a beach at low tide with. Giacomo managed to care for a new puppy, hang with his old buddies & family members, while playing host to a new kid and his odd science teacher dad.

I came to realize that weekend that Giacimo was indeed a special person. He had this humble happy go lucky spirit, and willingness to help others. To pitch in.  The love that was so clearly heaped on to him,  he was ready and able to give back.  A sure recipe for friends, happiness, and respect. He sure gained mine.

I’ll never forget his grace and optimism. It’s no wonder he is so loved by the Blaine community and beyond. I cherish watching two boys who had just met, lost in curiosity and adventure for an hour at low tide. I said out loud to Mary and Jeff on the beach deck looking out at them, cant we just freeze them like that? I think Mary said, “exactly.”

Tim & Wilbur Mead

Christmas in Seattle

I was lucky enough to spend my Christmas and New Years with the Seattle Torcaso-Meyers crowd. Over those couples of weeks I was able to spend a lot of quality time with Giacomo. From overloaded choc-chip pancakes, eating burgers while watching a Seahawks game, and awesome sushi, to some dubious clarinet and flute practices, a trip to the aquarium, and building a gingerbread house together. He was kind, funny and thoughtful – a truly special character. I thoroughly enjoyed the precious little time I had with him. G was loved, and will be sorely missed.

– Bradley Meyers

Fellow Fans

We are Seahawks fans since we moved to the PNW in 1993. We loved the games and as a bonus we had seats in front of this wonderful family . I loved seeing you love your son and how he loved you back so sweetly. Sometimes we even got to meet one of his friends who would also be rooting with us and the team.

I always thought this was special and a gift to be associated with this family. I guess you don’t ever know really when someone leaves us but what I do know for sure is that this family loved hard and strong. He knew his parents loved him . I am glad I captured this moment of Giacomo’s talk with his Dad and his friend loving every moment of being there. Love never forgets, love is precious and this family proves that it is unconditional and kind . Rest in Power my friend. 

–Stephanie