Celebration of life held for John ‘Jack’ Cantin at Santa Barbara Mission

Friends and family celebrated the life of John ‘Jack’ Michael Cantin on Saturday.

Cantin is presumed dead after being washed away in the Montecito mudslides that killed his father and more than 21 others. He and a 2-year-old girl are the only people still missing.

During the service, his close friends compared Cantin to a Jedi Master and a comet.

The 17-year-old was a Santa Barbara High School student in the Multimedia and Arts and Design Academy. He co-founded Teens on The Scene that recently won an award community service. Members volunteered during the memorial at the Santa Barbara Mission.

Cantin was an Eagle Scout who earned the Boy Scout’s highest rank by refurbishing Cleveland Elementary School’s playground. His father David Cantin was Troop 33’s scoutmaster. Cantin went to Montecito Union School after moving to the area from Ohio when he was in the third grade.

He also attended Santa Barbara Junior High school. His little sister Lauren was pulled from the mud the morning of the debris flow. Their mother Kimberly was rescued, too.

Kimberly Cantin said her son was an old soul as she shared bittersweet memories.

“As a baby Jack would go to sleep listening to Kenny Loggins,” said Kimberly.

She said she recently found out nearly 5,000 people were playing an online game he created.

“I will remember Jack as a fun-loving, kind, compassionate, loving son and it was people who made a difference for Jack. Jack made us all feel loved,” said Kimberly before she thanked people for coming to the memorial for her oldest child.

If Cantin had survived, friends believe he would be helping Montecito rebuild. Plans are in the works to honor his memory when the Rancho Alegre Boy Scout Camp is rebuilt.

The camp and outdoor school burned down during Whittier Fire, five months before the Thomas Fire that contributed to Montecito mudslides during the January 9th storm.