Jacob Alexander Dacierno

Jacob Alexander Dacierno of Salt Lake City, UT died Tuesday morning, August 12 at the age of 20 years.  His death was ruled a suicide by gunshot wound.

Jacob was the son of Amanda Christine Oyler  D’Acierno and Joseph Edward D’Acierno (Jacob’s mother simplified Jacob’s last name compared to his father).  He was born on January 30, 2005, in Mountain View, CA.  While Jacob was still an infant his parents divorced, and his mother moved back to Utah to be near her parents and Jacob’s grandparents James and Clare Oyler in Salt Lake City.  He attended Cosgriff Catholic Elementary School, Hillside Middle School, Highland High School, and the Technical Campus of Salt Lake Community College.  

Jacob was born two months premature and spent his first month in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).  He caught up quickly and from an early age he was highly coordinated and loved making Lego constructions of increasing complexity well beyond his age, and also loved working with his grandfather in his shop.  

Jacob needed stability in his daily routines, had trouble adjusting to unplanned changes, and disliked noisy or crowded events, which became especially evident in high school.  During Covid he worked at home and was a straight-A student, but when school re-opened and he returned to Highland High School he never adjusted to the confusion that followed and had trouble with most classes.  The notable exceptions were shop classes, and he took every shop class offered at the school.

After graduation he enrolled in technical courses at Salt Lake Community College, at which he excelled.  He had decided that he wanted to be a precision machinist, and planned to take every available course in machining, programming for machines, metallurgy, welding, and related subjects. He had already completed two courses at night while working at Jimmy John’s during the day.  He was a model employee at Jimmy John’s since his junior year in high school, and was promoted to Manager in his store.

Jacob met his girlfriend in middle school, and they continued their friendship through high school . After high school, their relationship deepened, and they were almost always together.  Both loved the mountains in Utah and spent as much time camping as they could, consistent with their jobs and continuing education.

Unfortunately, Jacob developed depression in his early teenage years.  He was treated extensively for this through every available avenue but never completely overcame it.  When he was depressed he was overwhelmed with feelings of despair.

On the day before his death he fell into one of those episodes, and at approximately 2:00 AM Tuesday morning he lost the final battle.  His death is an unspeakable tragedy for all who knew him, especially because he was doing so well and appeared to have outgrown the depression.  On the day of his death he had an interview for his dream job as a beginning machinist. We are consoled by knowing that Jacob is now at eternal peace in Heaven where he knows no more pain.  

Jacob was always exceptionally generous, and we are consoled also by knowing that he made one last gift.  Shortly after his death we were notified that a recipient was in immediate need of heart valves and that Jacob was a match, so his heart may now be bringing life to another.  

Mass will be celebrated on Friday, August 22 at 11:00 AM at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, with a Mass of Christian Burial, followed by burial at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery.  All are welcome and warmly invited. Services will begin with a reception in the church foyer at 10:30 AM followed by Mass at 11:00 AM, and burial immediately after.  St. Ambrose is located at 2315 E. Redondo Avenue, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, and the cemetery is at 275 North “U” Street (1252 East) in Salt Lake City. 

Flowers may be sent to Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East in Salt Lake City, UT 84106.  

Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Humane Society of Utah in memory of Jacob’s love of dogs, at 4242 South 300 West, Murray, Utah 84107.