JACK Bajric was bubbly, kind and had a big heart.
The 16- year-old died in a house fire in Cessnock after being pulled from an engulfed home on Alkira Avenue.
Emergency services were called to the home around 10pm on Sunday, July 28, to reports of a blaze.
Jack's mother Kerrin Callaghan has spoken about the tragic loss of her "Jacky boy" and said her son was playful, fun and she will miss him dearly.
"He was happy and he always made me smile, he was non-verbal due to his disability but you could get him really excited and he'd laugh," she said.
She said she had fond memories of his mischievous personality which meant he was always laughing at things that weren't funny.
"It was things like me tripping over something in the hallway, or kids around him getting roused on by their parents - he'd laugh," she said.
"Or times we'd be in the car and the navigation kept getting us lost. Jack thought it was hysterical."
She said Jack loved being outside, listening to whistling trees in the wind and playing with leaves.
"He also loved going to the beach. Especially if I took him to Newcastle Ocean Baths on a rainy day - everyone would be running to their cars for cover and Jack would stand out in it just having the best time," she said.
Ms Callaghan said her son was always showing love to her and his younger sister.
"He was so affectionate and he loved our French Bulldog Baby who was my dad's - she also perished in the fire," she said.
"I know Jack will be at peace because he will be with my mum and dad."
Jack attended Hunter River Community School and Ms Callaghan wanted to thank the staff at the school for always supporting her son, as well as his carers and bus driver.
"They were all just so great with him. We want to say a big thank you," she said.
A fundraiser has been set up to pay for Jack's funeral.
Jack's cousin Cindy Davies said it was about giving Jack the best farewell possible.
"Jack had enough struggle in the years he was alive living with severe autism. It'd be nice to give him something in his passing," she said.
"Jacky boy was much loved and will be so very deeply missed in this tragic time."
