Luke Tenenbaum Shak, 30, of Milford, died peacefully and suddenly at MidState Medical Center on Oct. 25, following a lifelong and courageous struggle with congenital heart disease. Luke was born in Burlington, Vermont, on Jan. 30, 1980, son of Alexander “Jay” Shak of Madison and Suzy Tenenbaum of South Burlington, Vermont. Through the miracles of modern medicine, Luke was able to overcome a number of life threatening illnesses that never sapped his enthusiasm for life or his concern for others.  He was the grateful recipient of two heart transplants performed by his extraordinary team of clinicians at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center who devoted themselves to his loving care for over two decades.

Luke had a lifelong passion for sports of all kinds and was fortunate to attend Super Bowl XXIV, the 2006 MLB All-Star Game, the Football Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, the U.S. Open, Opening Day at the new Yankee Stadium, and so many other sporting events - each of which brought him so much joy and happiness.  Luke also had an adventurous spirit and fished the globe from Baja, Mexico, to Saskatchewan, Canada, and Bristol Bay, Alaska.  He loved to travel with his family and friends, and he was a joyful companion to all those who had the pleasure of his company.

Luke was extremely devoted to his family and friends, and despite his physical limitations, he was consistently upbeat, full of humor, amusingly eccentric, and simply a joy to be around.  No one could resist his contagious laughter, his twinkling blue eyes, and a quiet and selfless courage that was an inspiration to everyone who had the good fortune to know him.

Besides his parents, he is survived by the love of his life, Jamie Mendillo of Milford, whom he was planning to marry; his stepmother Beth Shak; his stepfather Steve Lane; his beloved brothers and sisters, Sam, Marcus, Sasha, and Nina; his loving grandparents, Judy, Helen, and Ned; and a whole host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, all of whom were part of the integral fabric of his all too brief but full life.

A joyful celebration of Luke’s Life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 2 p.m., at the Madison Surf Club, 87 Surf Club Rd., Madison, and on Nov. 6, at 11 a.m., at the Unitarian Church in Burlington, Vermont. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Luke’s memory to Donate Life Connecticut, P.O. Box 4000, Woodbridge, CT 06525, or to the Gaylord Hospital Therapeutic Sports Program, 50 Gaylord Farms Rd., Wallingford, CT 06492. The Swan Funeral Home of Madison is in charge of arrangements. Please visit www.swanfuneralhomemadison.com to leave an online tribute or condolence.