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Briarcliff Mourns At Funeral For Jake Reish, 4

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y. – The pews of Scarborough Presbyterian Church in Briarcliff Manor were filled Friday morning as the community joined for the private funeral of 4-year-old Jason “Jake” Reish.

Pastor Tim Ives said it was “a dark day” and “a very sad time” for the entire community since authorities in Mamaroneck found the boy dead in the arms of his mother, Manuela Maria Morgado, on Monday. Morgado has been charged with the second-degree murder of her son and was ordered Thursday not to contact the Reish family.

“It is the truth that this is the most terrible event. But it is not the whole truth,” Ives told friends and family who gathered for the service. “It’s not the whole story. It does not end here. Darkness never wins. My faith tells me so.”

Friends and family members said they would remember Jake as a very happy boy. Jeff Manganello said he would always feel a special connection with Jake for two reasons.

“First, he was born on June 24, which happens to be my birthday as well. Second, like me, he pretty much thought he was the unofficial mayor of Briarcliff,” Manganello said.

Members of the Reish family, including the boy’s father, Dr. Tim Reish, said earlier this week they would “never be able to comprehend the heinous actions of Jake’s mother.”

“We would like to thank everyone for your kindness and support during this most difficult time,” the family wrote in the funeral’s program. “In the short time Jake was with us, he changed our lives for the better. He will live on in the memories of all who met him, and we will be reunited with him one day.”

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