Jacob Nathaniel Kean

Jacob was born on November 11th, 1995, in Sydney, Australia. He was birthed along side his twin sister, Kristen. His father and mother both lived in Australia at the time, but parted ways six years into his life after his mother found work in upstate New York. He attended schooling at Bankstown North Public School and the Northern Sydney Alternative School and received his high school diploma in November of 2014. He was an all-star soccer and football player. He admired both games and planned on pursuing football in America during his college years. He achieved the title of all-state Quarterback his senior year of schooling and helped lead his team to a state-championship victory. He also achieved the title for best footwork in soccer. Jacob planned on attending the University of South Carolina to continue his football career, but health complications kept him from proceeding. He had always been a curious boy, and always questioned things without judgment. Although he was considered “troubled youth” for habits he got into and addictions he created, he entered rehab in the Summer of 2015 to officially rid them.

Jacob was more than just an athlete or a boy struggling to find himself during his teen years. Jacob was a extremely warm, caring, and genuine soul. He was very goofy and loved to make people smile. Teachers and coaches would refer to him as “humble”, “one of a kind”, “joy to be around”, “aware and attentive to those around him”, and “always interested in learning”. He was an avid Manchester United and Seattle Seahawks fan. Jacob loved going on adventures but would consider himself a homebody at heart. He went on several trips around Australia, Europe, and the United States with his family and friends. He was a musician and loved playing his drums, bass guitar, and acoustic guitar. He enjoyed to sing, create, and record music for all of his loved ones to hear. “It creates a deeper connection than just words, and I like getting on that level with people.”, he would always say. Jacob was adored by many and had multiple close friend-groups in Australia and America. He was involved in a romantic relationship with his girlfriend of two years who lives in America. He had dozens of great leaders he looked up to, including his father who passed away in February of 2014. Jacob is survived by his mother, Nancy Julia Brooks; and his sister, Kristen Louise Kean. He is also survived by his grandparents, Steven Brooks and Louise Anderson from America; and his grandparents, Nathaniel and Judy Kean from Australia.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 12th, at the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave in Albany, NY starting at 6 p.m. A viewing and the cremation afterwards will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to SMART Recovery, 7304 Mentor Ave, Suite F, Mentor, OH 44060; National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 3803 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22203; Family Drug Support Australia, PO BOX 7363, Laura, NSW 2780. Donations can be made by phone at 703-524-7600, +61 2-4782-9222 or at www.smartrecovery.org, www.nami.org, and www.fds.org.au