Jacob Elijah Birenbach

Jacob (Jake) Elijah Birenbach passed away on Monday October 12, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts, due to an accident. Jake was born at Beverly Hospital on December 17, 1996, to Michael E. Birenbach and Jessica E. (Cooper) Birenbach. He was the older brother to Amanda Birenbach and stepson of Jennifer Birenbach.

During his younger years, Jake experienced life in the Metro-Boston area of Massachusetts, the Raleigh/Chapel Hill area of North Carolina, and the San Jose area of California while living with his dad, stepmom and sister. He graduated from Burlington High School, Vermont, in 2015. Jake was a confident traveler, explorer, and quite charming from an early age.

In his young years, he was an avid reader, actor, movie buff, gamer, videographer (often using his sister & friends as co-players), and woodland explorer. He often drew complex images and created high-quality mixed media art. He had a creative eye – and had superior drawing skills at a young age. There was never a lego project too large or complex for him to take on and succeed – his patience in those projects was impressive for a young man.

At a young age, 6 actually, he had the mic at the school play and ran with it, dancing and singing to the crowd's delight, until the mic was returned. He did not possess stage fright. Years later, while a teen in San Jose, CA he was a member of the American Youth Shakespeare Company. He performed as Romeo and also as a crab in the musical “Just So” alongside his father, who was the elephant. Jake stole the show with unique crab humor. High school experiences included attending a 4-week travel camp that toured many US and French-Canadian locations, in urban and dramatic natural settings. He took challenging theater courses. His dramatic videos continued into his 20s; he was always creating.

After graduating from high school, while living in Vermont and working for his great-grandfather's summer tubing business, he acted on his long-term desire to join the military. He signed up with the Army at Albany, NY in 2017. In the Army, he graduated from Fort Benning in February 2018 and was stationed at Fort Hood in Texas. He became a Cavalry Scout in the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment where he was first deployed to Poland for war games along the Russian border. While on leave, he explored European locations with his buddies, traveling in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Croatia. An avid photographer who loved dramatic lighting, he shared many images from his explorations – even a dark abandoned Hungarian power plant where the movie “Blade Runner 2049” was filmed. For that they used their tactical skills and snuck into the site. He loved telling that story. His second overseas deployment was to Turkey as part of the Afghanistan campaign, where they were stationed manning a site near the Afghanistan border, which was considered elevated risk.

After Turkey, he returned to Fort Hood Texas where he earned the following honors: Army Achievement Medal; National Defense Service Medal; and the Army Service Ribbon.

After the military, he lived in New Hampshire and Vermont through COVID and then returned to Massachusetts. After a time living in Salem, MA, and working in hospitality, he moved to Boston, living in Jamaica Plain through 2026. While working at Finz, Salem, he met his long-term girlfriend and, she will always remember him teaching her how to shuck oysters, which he did with enthusiasm, even cutting up his hands. She said “he always took pride in being the first person to dive into a daunting shift when others looked for the easiest path.”

From there, he continued working in hospitality in Beverly, the Seaport district, Cambridge, and finally the South End. He developed relationships with peers of all ages who were coworkers, roommates, and friends. He was involved with the VA, music events, and was a known hard worker. He was proud to be promoted into the management track and was looking forward to that career path continuing.

Collecting vintage and antique items was a special hobby for him from a young age- large and small items; the more unique, the better. He loved a good vintage or thrift shop. His clothes showed his unique style, which he wore confidently. He designed his own tattoos, drawing on his Viking heritage. He had a gift for seeing things in unique ways and capturing perspectives others might miss.

Jake enjoyed so many things, and his time in Boston supported all of them: drawing, visiting museums, dinosaurs, thrifting, fashion, all kinds of music (especially rap, Tame Impala, and the White Stripes), animals, hiking, Wes Anderson, candlelit dinners, cooking, photography, exploring nature, the Arnold Arboretum, spending time with friends, walking all over the city with his best friend on “walking adventures,” trying new restaurants, Dune, Star Wars, cars, watches, and cashew cheese. He also enjoyed the hours after work, socializing with his coworkers, and relaxing late at night on the back porch with his roommates.

Some of Jake’s biggest smiles came from time spent outdoors, from North Carolina to California, to Maine, to Vermont, often with family and treasured family dogs by his side. He’d encourage you to get outside, look closely, find things that make you smile, share time with people and animals you love, and capture some of the wonder around you.

Jake's closest friend, who loved him and worked with him, shared the following as a deeper look into Jake's final year with us all: 

“Jake started as support staff when he began his hospitality journey. From making stupid mistakes to learning more, he became such an amazing part of the industry. He was never late to work, always dependable, and always lent a hand to whoever needed it.

Jake really began to flourish in his hospitality career when he joined Mr. H. It was an upscale, high-volume restaurant that matched his energy perfectly. He loved dressing up, so a three-piece suit as his uniform gave him every reason to shine. At Mr. H, Jake expanded his knowledge of complex cuisines and well-crafted drinks. But Jake’s love for hospitality always went beyond the food and drinks. He had a way of becoming more than just a server, but a friend.

He eventually moved to Lou’s in Cambridge, where he found a new family of friends. He started as an excellent server and went on to become an amazing bartender. From that point on, you couldn’t get Jake to button more than three buttons on his shirt. He was all about style, flair, and amazing drinks.

Lou’s was an incredible chapter for him, but Jake was always looking for new ways to grow. That drive brought him to Capri, where he started as a server and flourished immediately. Management and staff grew fond of him, and he fit right in. With his ambition and hustle, it wasn’t long before he asked for the opportunity to become a manager. With no surprise, he almost immediately earned the position.

Although his time in that position was brief, everyone was so proud of him and happy to see him take that next step. He was already buying new outfits and shoes, and he even cut his hair to show how seriously he was taking it. It was still Jake, just stepping into a new chapter with his own sense of style.

For Jake, hospitality was never just a job. It was about making people feel welcome, building connections, and giving them an experience they would remember. Whatever role he held, he brought his energy, his personality, and his heart. Consistently leaving people with memories that would last far beyond their time at his table. We will never forget Jake, and he’ll live in our hearts, shakers, menus, and even in the perfectly folded linens that he always made sure were done.”

Jake is predeceased by his mother, Jessica E. Birenbach. He is survived by his father and stepmother, Michael E. and Jen Birenbach; his sister Amanda Birenbach of Salem, MA; grandparents Michael J. Birenbach and Jane Corwin, of Getsville, NY; grandparents Jennifer and Charles Howard of Pittsfield, VT; grandparents Robert and Dona Abel of West Redding, CT; and great-grandfather Fred Wall of Stockbridge, VT. His extended family is large on both sides and includes his many aunts and uncles, cousins, great-aunts, great-uncles, and more from CA, CT, MA, NV, NY, TN, and VT.

Jake's Celebration of Life will be held at 11am November 7, 2026, at Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn, 101 Forest Ave, Swampscott, MA 01907. Please join us after the ceremony as we gather with refreshments and community to celebrate his life and smile.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hope for the Warriors, fostering resilience and a sense of purpose https://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/donate/. For more information and online guestbook, please call the Murphy Funeral Home at 978-744-0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.