Help Bring Home Westfield Cancer Survivor Who Died Snorkeling

WESTFIELD, NJ - Rodney Jinkins, the cancer survivor who died on vacation in Florida last week, left behind a wife, eight-year-old-twins and the expense of preparing him and transporting him to Westfield for burial. His family is seeking help to offset the cost of bringing him home.

"I’ve been in contact with the family and funeral costs are very high," said Mary Oppel, a friend who started a GoFundMe campaign for the family. Oppel noted that the cost was increased because Jinkins needed to be transported back to New Jersey.

Jinkins' family, wife Lori Cieckiewicz and twin eight-year-olds Andrew and Hope, are hosting a visitation at the Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home located at 582 Springfield Ave. from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday. A funeral mass has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday morning at St. Helen RC Church located at 1600 Rahway Ave.

It's not immediately clear how Jinkins will be transported home by Friday.

Last Thursday, while vacationing in Florida, Jinkins, 49, died suddenly snorkeling off Key Largo. Beyond his immediate family, Jinkins is survived by his mother Mildred, brother Jason, sister-in-law Bobbi, his niece Maya and nephews Connor and Brenden McCall.

Oppel said that insurance issues caused by a previous illness had made things more difficult for Jinkins' family.

"In his early 30's, he won the battle against Hodgkins Lymphoma, but being a cancer survivor makes it very difficult to get a life insurance plan that can provide any type of substantial support for a family," Oppel wrote on the GoFundMe page established for Jinkins' family. "The family needs community support to help financially with unexpected costs, funeral expenses and immediate needs for the family."

As of Thursday, the GoFundMe page had reached $34,000 of the $50,000 goal. Oppel said while that was an amazing response, more was still needed.

"We are close to reaching the goal, but are not there yet," Oppel said. "Donations have slowed down."

Monroe County Sheriff's spokesman Adam Linhardt told Patch that Jinkins lost consciousness while snorkeling with his family off John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo last Thursday.

According to the incident report, Jinkins, his two 8-year-old children and niece were on the water for about 30 to 45 minutes when someone yelled that Jinkins being unconscious in the water.
The mate of the boat they were on, Douglas Mitchell Pearce, said in the report he heard Jinkins' son yell for help and immediately dove in to render aid. Jinkins was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

"Sadly this is the kind of thing that happens down here a lot," Linhardt said.

According to the Westfield Floors business website, Jinkins is the owner-operator of the business, which has been providing floor care services in New Jersey for over 20 years.

The community has responded with their support and condolences. Some who were close to Jinkins vowed to be there for his loved ones.

"I can’t believe it. Rod you are one of my best friends. I will miss you," Sean Moloney said. "May God bless you and welcome you into heaven. We will be there for your family."

Rachel Lamb, who lived near the Jinkins, shared her thoughts on the GoFundMe page.

"Forever in our hearts, Rodney," Lamb said. "You and Lori were the greatest neighbors."

A chorus of sympathy and prayers were posted to the page, including some who have gone through loss like this firsthand.

"I know how difficult it is to raise your children alone financially, physically, and mentally," Allison Fiorino said. "My heart breaks for them."

Many wrote of being part of the McKinley School family, the school where Andrew and Hope are students.

"I am so sorry for your unimaginable loss. Your family will be in our continued prayers," Nicole Heber said. "Please let us know if we can help in any way. From your 1st Street neighbors and McKinley friends."

Oppel said that the hope is that this compassion leads to generosity for the Jinkins family.

"The loss of a husband and father has been devastating for the family," Oppel said. "We need to gather the support and generosity of our community to help the family in this time of need."

The GoFundMe page can be found here.

(Photo courtesy of GoFundMe, a Patch promotional parter)

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