Jonathan Edward Aukstikalnis

Jonathan E. Aukstikalnis Phillipston - Jonathan Edward Aukstikalnis, 14, of 65 Burnshirt Road, walked with Jesus to God's loving arms, Friday, April 13, 2012 at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center - University Campus in Worcester, surrounded by his loving family, due to an injury sustained in an accident at his home on March 30th.  Jonathan was born in Gardner, January 19, 1998, the son of Stephen and Heidi (Finch) Aukstikalnis. He has lived in Phillipston all of his life, attending Phillipston Memorial School and was an 8th grade student at Narragansett Middle School. He was accepted to Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School in Fitchburg, where he planned to study Plumbing while preparing for college. Jonathan's ultimate goal was to play professional soccer. Jonathan was a member of the Phillipston Congregational Church, its Sunday School and Youth Group, was a Junior Deacon and played saxophone in the Praise Band. Jonathan was also a Life Scout and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader of Phillipston's Troop 30, an Ordeal Member of Order of the Arrow Grand Monadnock Lodge and has been involved in Scouts since joining as a Tiger Cub in first grade. While Jonathan participated in Narragansett Little League in T-ball and Minor League, Soccer was his favorite sport. He played for Gardner Youth Soccer, Narragansett Youth Soccer, Narragansett Middle School Soccer for two years, being one of the team captains this past fall and was most recently selected to play for the Oakmont Travel Team, the Outlaws. As part of his down time, Jonathan enjoyed playing FIFA Soccer on the X-Box. Jonathan also loved downhill skiing, going with NMS and his buddies. Special times for Jonathan were spent with family and friends and on trips to Campobello Island, NB. Jonathan also enjoyed his times at the Red Apple Farm, helping out his friends or anyone that needed a helping hand. Jonathan enjoyed the holidays, with Easter being his favorite. Those who knew him best knew a kindhearted, generous Christian. They knew he touched the lives of many people of all ages, knew of his gentle spirit, sense of humor, love of country music, artistic abilities, quiet manners and plaid flannel with jeans.  Jonathan loved his dog, Sophia, who shared his walks in the woods and workouts for soccer, and his cat, Cindy, who curled up with him to watch T.V. An avid outdoorsman, Jonathan enjoyed spending times with his brother David, who loves him very much, camping, especially with his Scouting pals and buddies, hiking, hunting (just earning his Hunter Education certificate), biking, four-wheelers and go-carts with his cousins and flying with Grampy. He spent many special times with Gram and Grampy and aunts, uncles and cousins. Jonathan leaves his parents, Stephen and Heidi Aukstikalnis; his brother, David Aukstikalnis; his maternal grandparents, Henry and Helen Finch of Winchendon; his Auntie Ruby (Finch) and Uncle Mikey Moore of Jaffrey, NH, his Godfather Uncle Stan and Aunt Marie Finch of Milton, NH, his Godmother Auntie Hope Finch of Winchendon, and Uncle Tyson Finch of Somers, CT, his Aunt Patty (Aukstikalnis) McCorkle of Holden, Uncle Rich Aukstikalnis of Omaha, NE, Uncle Timmy Aukstikalnis of Worcester, MA and many special cousins. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, April 18th, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Phillipston Congregational Church and funeral services will be held Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Phillipston Congregational Church, 60 The Common, Phillipston with the Rev. Stephanie Flynn, Pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Lower Cemetery in Phillipston. The family invites you to dress casually for the services as Jonathan would have wished. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions in Jonathan's name be made to the Friends of Gilman Waite, c/o of Tom Miller, Narragansett Regional High School, 464 Baldwinville Road, Baldwinville, MA 01436 or Boy Scout Troop 30, c/o Jennie Jordon, 60 The Common, Phillipston, MA 01331. Higgins-O'Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main St., Athol is directing arrangements. For further information or to share a memory with the family go to: www.higginsoconnorfuneralhome.com. $(document).ready(function(){ });