The youngest of 3 children, Jason D Jablonski was born July 18, 1995 in Williamsville, New York, a suburb of Buffalo. He was a healthy, all-American kid growing up playing tee ball, baseball, soccer, hockey and swimming. Always a teachers’ favorite, he gained the confidence to recognize that with hard work and dedicated effort, he could accomplish whatever goals he set for himself. He attended Orchard Park Public schools though Middle School and entered St Francis High School in Athol Springs, NY as a member of the class of 2013. JJ, as his friends and family called him, exemplified what it means to be a stand out student athlete. At the 2013 Baccalaureate Mass, he was recognized with the Student-Athlete of the Year Award as he had consistently excelled in the classroom, the soccer field and the ice.

Earning an Appointment to the United States Naval Academy, in June 2013 JJ reported with the Class of 2017 for Induction Day, exactly one month after his high school graduation, where he took an oath as a Midshipmen to serve and protect the United States of America from all enemies foreign and domestic with the goal of graduating and earning a Naval Officer commission as a Naval Pilot. He was invited to join the Men’s ice hockey team at the Academy, where he was honored to be named a Captain of the team for the 2016 - 2017 season. He continued to excel as a student, achieving the top academic honors of Superintendent’s List all while excelling in his military obligations required of all Naval Academy Midshipmen taking on leadership roles within his Company. In August 2016, just prior to his 1st Class year, Senior year, at the Naval Academy, JJ was diagnosed with Leukemia. In mid-November he was granted his first choice service selection to be commissioned as a Naval Aviation Officer upon graduation, however, on November 27, 2016, due to complications related to his leukemia treatment , Jason passed away peacefully at the age of 21 surrounded by family and friends after being ‘pinned’ with Navy Pilot wings. He left behind his loving parents, Joe and Lori, two older sisters, Janelle and Casey, a dedicated girlfriend, teammates, company-mates, and an incredible number of friends.

JJ was a natural leader who truly valued team above self. He had the innate ability to be both encouraging and commanding while upholding the hallmark humbleness of a St. Francis gentleman and a United States Naval Academy Midshipman.

In 2017, the 1C MIDN Jason D Jablonski Warrior Spirit Award was established and awarded annually to the Men’s Navy Hockey team member who best demonstrates the traits of perseverance, tenacity and selflessness – Jason’s trademark qualities.

In 2018, in his first year of eligibility, Jason “JJ” Jablonski was inducted posthumously into the Fr. Rufinus Niedzwiecki Athletic Hall of Fame at St. Francis High School for his performance on the soccer, ice hockey and track and field teams.

In December 2021, Joe and Lori Jablonski were presented Jason’s diploma from the United States Naval Academy posthumously.

Jason is remembered as a man of impeccable character and integrity who embodied and embraced leadership, teamwork, humility, hard work, and brotherhood. He was the true definition of a leader in that he made those around him better while staying humble. He continually demonstrated perseverance through evidence of overcoming obstacles in the pursuit of reaching challenging goals through hard work, practice and focus. He was dedicated to serving others and being a part of something bigger than himself. Incredibly, he continues to influence those who knew him and many who never meet him but have learned about the young man he had become