Howell Mourns Jake 'The Tank,' 7, Who Fought Brain Cancer

HOWELL, NJ — Residents and family members across the area are mourning the death of a spunky young Howell Township boy who lost a 5-year battle with brain cancer Sunday. Jake "The Tank" Honig, who had captured the hearts of everyone from the township's police department to neighbors and classmates, died surrounded by his family Sunday morning. He was 7 years old.

"It was peaceful. It was painless," his family said on the Facebook page they created to share Jake's story. "Jake left us this morning. Although much too soon, we are extremely thankful for an incredible 7 years with an amazing boy. Jake had an 'old soul' and we will carry his sunshine with us forever."

Jake, who was made an honorary police officer last summer by the Howell Township Police Department, was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma when a brain tumor was discovered when he was 2. He was treated with surgery, chemotherapy and proton therapy, according to a post telling Jake's story on the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia website. He completed treatment when he was 3 and had been in remission until last year.

At his 4-year scan in 2017, doctors discovered the cancer had returned. According to a report by NJ 101.5, Jake went through another round of surgery, chemotherapy and more radiation. By Thanksgiving, the cancer was back again and had spread further. By Christmas, he had a tumor on his lower back.

Nicknamed "the Tank" because of the strength he displayed during his cancer fight, Jake was a favorite of the police department. To express its grief, the department changed its Facebook profile photo to one of Jake and its cover photo to a shot of Jake, his parents (Mike and Janet) and younger sister (Gianna, 6) posing with police officers.

"(Jake) truly is an inspiration to all of us," Howell Police Chief Andrew J. Kudrick Jr. said last summer after the department presented Jake with his own police uniform and motorcycle.

The police department has remained close to the family, holding a basketball fundraiser in December to help offset medical bills. Jake, who would have been 8 in March, was also the inspiration for the department's efforts to win the 101.5 radio contest honoring police earlier in January. Howell's support for Jake — and the township's support — boosted Howell to victory over the Spotswood Police Department. The victory earned a donation for the Frances Foundation, which assists families of children with cancer. Because Howell ended up splitting the $5,000 charity donation with Spotswood after a spirited contest in the final voting, the foundation was to receive $2,500.

As Jake's family tried to keep him comfortable in his final days, they turned his fight into a fight for other children by urging people to contact Gov. Phil Murphy to get his assistance in easing the tight restrictions governing medical marijuana.

The Honigs told NJ 101.5 that medical marijuana had been the most effective treatment to ease Jake's pain and one that gave him the best quality of life by allowing him to be awake and aware. Because of tight controls, however, the Honigs were limited to purchasing two ounces of marijuana flower per month, and they had to extract the cannabis oil from it themselves by cooking it down, the report said. The result was enough oil for just 10 days.

The medical marijuana did not have the side effects that stronger pain killers had on Jake, and his parents want to see it made more easily available for those desperately in need.

On Facebook, the family said Murphy contacted the Honigs and told them he supports changes to make New Jersey's medical marijuana program more supportive for patients who need it. "A lot of work needs to be done," he told them, "but it's children like Jake that will ignite change more rapidly."

In addition to posts on Jake's Facebook page, condolences piled up on the Howell Township Police Department Facebook page and on the Howell Happenings NJ Facebook page, which also posted condolences to the Honig family and Jake's friends.

"A very sad day in Howell Township," the Howell Happenings post said. "As you drive down Route 9, Southard Fire Department honors him on their lighted sign. Although his life was cut short, he made a huge impact and touched the hearts of everyone. Our hearts and prayers go out to the Honig Family."

"I'm sure he has positively impacted more people in the past 5 years than most adults do in their entire life," Kudrick said last summer, and signed it with the hashtag "BeLikeJake."

Photos by Howell Township Police Department