October 28, 2024 By Carol Britton Meyer
Luke Jagielski, a seventh-grader at Hingham Middle School, loved Halloween, decorating his family’s Crow Point home with animatronic displays to bring spooky fun to his neighbors.
This year, in celebration of Luke’s life and Halloween-loving spirit, his family decorated their home with a spectacular lighted Halloween display for the enjoyment of neighbors and all who drive by.
In a show of support for his family and in remembrance of Luke’s love for everything Halloween, Hingham residents townwide are encouraged to place purple lightbulbs in their front-yard outdoor light fixtures leading up to and including Oct. 31. The Jagielskis’ decorations will remain up past Halloween.
Many are already participating. “This started small with a few houses in our neighborhood, and the word got out and more people around town joined ‘Lights for Luke,'” neighbor Leslie Belkner told the Hingham Anchor.
Luke’s parents, Aimee and Anthony, and his sisters, Brooke and Kate, have found comfort in driving around to view the purple lights already being displayed by numerous residents. “Even though we’re sad that he’s no longer with us, this show of support has brought smiles to our faces and definitely makes us feel better,” his father shared with the Hingham Anchor. “It’s nice to see people coming together and doing this for Luke at his favorite time of year. He would have very much loved the fact that people are uniting for him.”
Luke was highlighted in a special Halloween edition of a local magazine a couple of years ago that featured his awesome decorating skills. His enthusiasm was so great that he started setting up the decorations during the summer in anticipation of Halloween.
“We appreciate everyone doing this. Luke touched a lot of people’s lives through his displays at our house. Little kids loved them,” his father said. “A few weeks prior [to his passing], some children were at our house to see the Halloween decorations, and when the ice cream truck came along, he bought them ice cream. He was a sweet, sweet boy.”
The Hingham Police Department and Fire Station 2 on North Street have been handing out hundreds of purple lightbulbs donated by Home Depot in Quincy and Rockland and the Weymouth Lowe’s in a show of support. “Anyone can stop by and pick one up,” Belkner said. “The first lights were gone within six hours, and I was able to pick up more that were donated.” Purple lights are also available online.
“My dream is to see the whole town lit up in honor of Luke — whether you know his family or not — because he loved Halloween so much,” Belkner said.
To make a donation to one of Luke’s favorite charities, visit https://www.bonfire.com/in-loving-memory-of-luke-jagielski/?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=campaign_page&utm_campaign=in-loving-memory-of-luke-jagielski&utm_content=default