I’ll never forget you my friend! Miss you so much and think of you often ❤️ — with Jay and Natalie

So much laughter with you! Oh how I wish we could have more of it 😔 — with Jay and Natalie

Always such good times with you!! 😊☀️❤️ — with Jay and Natalie

Women’s March after someone got inaugurated… 💪 always standing up for what’s right! I loved that about you, my friend! — with Jay and Natalie

Little get together before D and I moved to LA. We had such a blast with you, Jay! Always such good times 🥂🥳 — with Jay Natalie and Doug

Just another one of our great chats in the sun ☀️ loved hanging out with you! — with Jay and Natalie

My good friend Jay and I, our last pic together - can’t believe it’s been a year since you left us! Miss you often and wish we could get together once again, chat it up, complain about politics and what we wish the world would be like! ❤️ — with Jay and Natalie

It's almost impossible to think that Jay is no longer with us. I met Jay when we were both working at MTC. He was so intelligent and funny, and always had something to contribute to a group or private discussion. Jay transferred over to LPA at MTC, where I also worked. He was a great addition to the eclectic group and fit in perfectly. I saw Jay on Lakeshore Avenue in Oakland about a month before his passing. He had his cap on, of course, a lilt in his walk and a smile on his face. He was taken from us all too soon. 

Jay and I met in 2014 when our agency installed signage at our new transit center as part of the regional hub signage program. As with anyone who knew Jay, we became fast friends and working with him never really felt like work at all! He was full of information I never knew I'd need to know but grateful now that I do! When MTC was still in Oakland, if I was there for a meeting, or at Caltrans, we'd often meet for lunch and talk about so many things in a short hour it was like time stood still. Over the years we'd check in briefly, catch up on the phone, but never had the opportunity to spend time together outside work even though we talked about it every time. It's funny how you always think you have so much time in this life, and then you don't. Both being North Bay kids, we had lots of fun talks about what it was like growing up in the "sticks" of the Bay Area. ;-) The last time I spoke to Jay was in 2022, when the Napa Porchfest had finally come back after a Covid hiatus. It's a great, fun local event where tons of bands play on house porches in the downtown core of Napa each July. He said he always wanted to attend, but sadly something came up and we had to postpone. I'm still bummed about not getting to laugh with him, meet Randy and run around Porchfest. This year, while the music plays, I'll be thinking of you Jay and will take you around from porch to porch in spirit. If anyone out there wants to attend, please reach out! We'll make Jay shirts, enjoy the music and good wine (only the good stuff)! 

Jay and I worked on the first 511 Real-time Transit Departure signs together. He always had insightful ideas and was so personable. His gregarious nature was infectious, and he could always make me laugh; not just small laughs but huge bully laughs. He was such a kind soul. My biggest condolences to Randy and Jay's family and close friends. I hope your fond memories of Jay will bring you smiles and peace.

Jay was my Warriors buddy and we went to games together for several years. We always got that extra long pour of whiskey or 4. I so miss him.

Remembering Jay as a founding father of this unique flap sign

Christmas party shenanigans

Randy, Suzy, and everyone who loved him, I am so sorry for your loss, for our loss. Jay and I did many things together. We met at MTC 16 years ago and became fast friends. He was brilliant, and fun, and so alive.  He had the entire Bay Area Transit system committed to memory. He was sharp and confident. We had to eat at good places because he refused awful food or cheap wine, and I adored that about him. Jay had standards. I was from Los Angeles, and I loved having fun even though we worked a very serious job, heck, because it was so serious, and he was the same. We both had endured things that made us want to feel how beautiful life was, and we understood how the weight of trauma could make things difficult, so we supported each other. He was a staunch supporter when I was going through some of the most difficult times in my life. Jay was loyal, and he never wavered. When the pandemic separated us, Jay, Cheryl, Michele and I spoke on the phone every Friday night because we missed talking every day at work. We were very close and understood each other well. We did this until he was hospitalized. The four of us would buy show tickets and work out plans to make sure that we all saw the shows we wanted to see. We were going to see Depeche Mode this past weekend in San Jose, and he and I were going to ditch our loving husbands for a few days in Manhattan to see a show, eat, and dance in nightclubs. He invited me because he'd planned on seeing his brother who lived there. Jay was my best friend.  He was beloved and had many other friends, and we never discussed such things. He was the best at keeping people in his life. I may not have been his best friend, but he sure was mine. I love you dearly, sweet boy.  Dance baby boy, dance. 

Really heartbreaking - Jay was such a kind, whole and beautiful human. Prayers to his whole family and Ohana.

So sorry to hear of Jay's passing. Wonderful memories of our day at Camp Sunburst. I will hold Jay and his family close to my heart..

Michelle S

Many memories of an incredibly kind man. You will be remembered fondly, Jay!

Very sad to hear of Jay's passing. May his memory be a blessing.