Very touching and important. Thanks, Kim

Ah, Kim....thanks so much for your words. He was a beautiful boy. My memories of Jack were when he was very young and we called him "the little rabbi". He loved to welcome us into the Rohman house on Hanukah with his kippah on his head and songs in his heart. He showed us how to make latkes with joyous abandon. He was full of life. We will always have these wonderful, warm memories of Jack and his smiles.

What a beautifullly sad story. I did not know the young man personally but wish I had. I have a child who is bipolar and this tragedy is what haunts my dreams! I will say a prayer for this young man and his family. God bless.

I did not know Jack, but am deeply moved by his story. I have had relatives, friends, and acquaintances who have been touched by schizophrenia. It is so important to put a human face on this devastating illness. My heart goes out to Jack's family and friends.

I knew Jack's Dad at that age, and although I did not have the honor of knowing Jack, I can easily imagine the enthusiasm with which he went through life. This is an important and courageous story of a strong soul, we must create something blessed out of this tragedy in his name.

Thank you for this article. It helped me make sense of this whole thing. Hearing that Jack wanted to stop making art...that's haunting to me and more than a little devastating.

I knew Jack since the sixth grade and during that entire time I cannot think of a period of more than two or three days when he did not have some -- usually brilliant -- artistic endeavor in the offing.

From somehow making the writing of Haikus trendy for a few weeks during 8th grade at Portola Middle School to making reverse footage films designed to resemble forward-motion stop motion animation, Jack saw the world like no other. I have known a great many artists during my life, but Jack was one of the very few whom I would call a true creative genius.

My mind and spirit are with his family. They were always wonderful and welcoming and political and socially aware. They were and are strong and emblematic of everything I would want my family to be like. They have my deepest sympathies in these trying times.

But at the same time I am angry. Angry that I will never have the joy of seeing Jack reach the heights for which he was destined. Angry that I have been denied the privilege of seeing the world at large shift because of the power of his images, his writing, his films and his charismatic persona.

Over the years we drifted apart but to this day when I sit down to write, my thoughts still drift back to him. I sit at my keyboard and think, "What would impress Jack?" as a way of pushing myself.

Thank you for giving those of us not lucky enough to have known Jack, a glimpse into the amazing person he was. I grieve for his family but also for those whose lives will never be touched by him. Clearly he was an amazing, gifted, uniquely talented young man and the world will be less without him.

Though we did not live on Mount Washington, my family was fortunate enough to meet the Rohmans through mutual friends. He and my daughter Bridget were very close. Jack was and is extraordinary. We are privileged.

Thanks to you and to Connie, Keith, and Nora for the candor about his terrible illness. Within days, Jack already has educated so many of us about the nature and progression of schizophrenia. Despite the horrendous price, maybe our awakening can lend itself to a larger shift in attitudes toward mental illness.

Jack will remain a brave, hilarious, magical creature -- laughing and greeting friends as he kicked up snow beneath an old Sarah Lawrence swing set, helping his friend Bridget festoon her parental home for yet another Category 5 musical house party, leaving trails of art supplies much as a dog leaves clumps of fur, and taking so much joy in all the details because he loved everything so much.

So above all: Thanks, Jack. Your standing ovation goes here.

Thanks Kim, for capturing and sharing the beauty and tragedy of Jack's much-too-short life.... It's been a very difficult week for those left behind, and this helps, adding a piece to assist all of us to begin reassembling our lives. Jack is missed, but still here, always will be, in our hearts.

I am so sorry that I never met this remarkable young man. He achieve SO much throughout such a brief and difficult life. I hope that at some point in the future his family can realize this, too, and be comforted.

Jack, I was your distant cousin in England, we only met when you were very small. I wish I could have known you better because I think I would have been proud to know you. Love always, Mel

It is sad to learn of the loss of the art and the person of Jack Rohman in one touching story. I remember reading the stories about the mysterious art that appeared on the bulkhead of Mt. Washington Drive. It seemed to delight those who observed it and the mystery of who was behind the effort made it even more intriguing. Today, I learned who was responsible, but I also learned I will never meet this young man.
Behind that creative vision and that community participation was the young man himself -- struggling with something so few of us know or much understand. To lose a son so young, so talented, and so promised to the future --- that is the really hard part. I only know the Rohmans through some community events over the years, but all of us in the community have our thoughts with the family today.

This was a very special boy; love it that he was known by some as the Little Rabbi given that he had his own unique take on religion! His memorial service reflected that, and it was an honour to be there. His family have taught ours, their extended family, so much about this illness by their openness and frankness and their utter respect for their boy. We, his English family, were proud of him, and grieve at his passing so young. I so wish I had seen that art on Mount Washington Drive.

I never had the opportunity to meet Jack, but can tell you that my wife and I enjoyed taking in his work on Mt Washington Dr every morning while we drank coffee and walked our dogs. To us, it was a breath of fresh air - a compliment to the already beautiful scenery and unique personality that lured us into this amazing neighborhood. I was crushed the day it was removed--I can't imagine how anyone could treat this collection as simple graffiti. Fast forward to today, where I stumble upon this site to learn who the architect was, only to read the heartbreaking news in the same story. My heart and thoughts go out to Jack's loved ones.

I am Karen Bogod. 's sister, Elizabeth. Although I did not know Jack, I know Karen will be deeply saddened by this news. I remember when my sister went away to look after Jack. At the time, I did not know anything about the little boy Karen was to nanny, only that she was traveling to a strange place where unknown relatives lived. I thought what a brave thing this was and felt rather envious that I could not bring myself to travel as she did. This is because mental illness has also touched our lives in a very big way. My family endured years of pain as I sought treatment for my mental illness: Depression, anxiety and Borderline Personality Disorder. Although I eventually got well and now work at the BC Schizophrenia Society - Victoria Branch, I can say with assurance that the Bogod family is deeply touched and sorry for your loss. What a privilege for Karen to be able to meet and get to know such a wonderful little boy and be touched by his life.