Jay was born on Aug. 2, 1915 in Canada but his family migrated south and finally settled in East Meadow in 1919.
Jay joined the East Meadow Fire Department in 1933 and served as Warden in 1934. In 1941 he was 1st Lt., Capt. in 1942 and elected 1st Asst. Chief in 1946. He joined the Suicide Squad and later the Meadowlarks where he was Capt. in 1946 when they won the State Championship.
After attempting to join the Service twice and being denied because he was not a citizen and had flat feet, he was drafted into the Army when WWII broke out. He served all over the Europe as well as D-Day at Utah Beach. Jay received the Purple Heart and other medals for his efforts and was honorably discharged as a Sgt. in 1945.
The East Meadow Civic Association awarded him Fireman of the Year in 1999.
He passed away on Nov. 27, 2002.
