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October 20, 2023
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 2-5pm on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ. A celebration of Jay’s life will be held at 5pm on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the funeral home following the visiting hours.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jay Thomas Simmons, age 72, of Kinnelon, NJ.
Jay passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.
Jay was born in San Juan Puerto Rico and was the younger of two sons to John and Olga Simmons. Being that Jay’s father was on active duty with the United States Navy, Jay spent his formative years living in Japan. While growing up in Japan, Jay developed many of his wonderful and powerful personality traits, such as his generosity, kindness, humility, and graciousness. At the age of thirteen, his family moved back to the Unites States and settled in Palisades Park, NJ. As a young man, Jay attended Palisades Park High School, where he was a member of the Boys Varsity Wrestling team.
Following his high school graduation in 1968, Jay attended Pennsylvania Military College. He graduated from PMC in 1972, earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Behavioral Psychology and Organizational Dynamics. Shortly after Jay’s graduation in 1972, Pennsylvania Military College became Widener University.
Subsequent to earning his college degree, Jay quickly found work in the banking industry. During his long, successful career, he accepted positions at JP Morgan, Bank of America, and Citibank. Throughout the years, he was also an entrepreneur for various companies all relating to finance. Jay’s latest position was with Valley National Bank in Wayne, NJ, as Senior Vice President. For Jay, his role at Valley, and the people he worked with, was one of the most rewarding of his career. He held this position until his passing. Jay’s career in finance and banking spanned a period of more than fifty years. He was a wonderful boss, colleague, and peer, truly loved and well respected.
On many occasions, Jay was asked to give formal talks at various speaking engagements. On one such occasion, Jay was chosen to speak at a Chemical Bank seminar, and it was there that he met a young attractive girl by the name of Anne Friedman. Anne found Jay to be a wonderful speaker, charismatic and kind. She also thought he was quite the intellectual. Anne introduced herself to Jay afterwards, and the two became good friends. In the following years, their friendship blossomed into a wonderful and romantic courtship, and, as fate would have it, they fell in love. On September 27, 1998, Jay and Anne became husband and wife, with a small, intimate wedding in Napa Valley, California.
The newlyweds settled in the upper East side of Manhattan. In 2001, while residing in New York City, the couple welcomed the birth of their twins, Kendal and Stephen. When their children were about six years old, the family moved to the Smoke Rise community in Kinnelon, NJ, where they still reside. Jay loved his community and the life he was able to build. As an active member of his community, he served as treasurer of the Smoke Rise Board of Directors for more than ten years, and he was also part of the historical restoration of the Smoke Rise Chapel.
Jay also had an adventurous side: he was an avid golfer, occasional skier alongside his wife, snorkeler, race driver, and world traveler. Whether for business or vacation, Jay treasured traveling to destinations such as Chile, Argentina, Columbia, France, Italy, England, Ireland, Malta, and Spain, as well as many places across the US. He loved music, sometimes just listening and, other times, singing along. He was also quite handy and loved to work with his hands, whether that meant sitting down to build Legos with his kids or fixing up things around the house. He loved his sports and always enjoyed cheering on his favorite teams, the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys, with his son, Stephen. He loved sharing snacks with his daughter, Kendal, and savoring the delicious treats that his wife and daughter often baked. One of his most treasured pastimes was going out to the movies with his wife, Anne, just about every weekend. He also adored each and every one of his pets; they brought the biggest smiles to his face.
Aside from all of Jay’s talents, hobbies, and interests, his greatest passion was for his family. Nothing in the world meant more to Jay than providing for and spending time with his wife and children. He was a truly devoted father, supporting his children through everything, in every way that he could. He was involved in every aspect of their lives, from first steps to college graduation. He adored them, and he could not have been more proud of who they have become. Jay and Anne were more than partners, they were best friends, soulmates, cherishing more than twenty-five years of loving and loyal marriage together.
Jay was a kind and thoughtful man, a true gentleman. His selflessness and generosity were his greatest assets. He was charming and had a wonderful charisma about him. Jay was a proficient public speaker, so it was no surprise that he had the ability to captivate an audience of any age with his skill to tell a story. He was a pillar in his community and was sincerely loved by everyone that knew him.
Jay will be forever remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father and a well-respected, well-loved member of his community and profession. Jay touched the lives of many people and will be truly missed by his family, friends, and his colleagues.
Jay is survived by his wife Anne (nee Friedman) of Kinnelon, NJ, his daughter Kendal Simmons of Kinnelon, NJ, his son Stephen Simmons of Kinnelon, NJ, his brother David Simmons and his wife Donna of Little River, SC, two nieces: Kiera Prior and Karen Bond, one nephew Kevin Simmons, and his sister-in-law Stephanie Friedman. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Olga Simmons.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jay’s name may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family from 2-5pm on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ. A celebration of Jay’s life will be held at 5pm on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the funeral home following the visiting hours.
October 20, 2023
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 2-5pm on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ. A celebration of Jay’s life will be held at 5pm on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at the funeral home following the visiting hours.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jay Thomas Simmons, age 72, of Kinnelon, NJ.
Jay passed away on Friday, October 20, 2023, surrounded by his loving family.
Jay was born in San Juan Puerto Rico and was the younger of two sons to John and Olga Simmons. Being that Jay’s father was on active duty with the United States Navy, Jay spent his formative years living in Japan. While growing up in Japan, Jay developed many of his wonderful and powerful personality traits, such as his generosity, kindness, humility, and graciousness. At the age of thirteen, his family moved back to the Unites States and settled in Palisades Park, NJ. As a young man, Jay attended Palisades Park High School, where he was a member of the Boys Varsity Wrestling team.
Following his high school graduation in 1968, Jay attended Pennsylvania Military College. He graduated from PMC in 1972, earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Behavioral Psychology and Organizational Dynamics. Shortly after Jay’s graduation in 1972, Pennsylvania Military College became Widener University.
Subsequent to earning his college degree, Jay quickly found work in the banking industry. During his long, successful career, he accepted positions at JP Morgan, Bank of America, and Citibank. Throughout the years, he was also an entrepreneur for various companies all relating to finance. Jay’s latest position was with Valley National Bank in Wayne, NJ, as Senior Vice President. For Jay, his role at Valley, and the people he worked with, was one of the most rewarding of his career. He held this position until his passing. Jay’s career in finance and banking spanned a period of more than fifty years. He was a wonderful boss, colleague, and peer, truly loved and well respected.
On many occasions, Jay was asked to give formal talks at various speaking engagements. On one such occasion, Jay was chosen to speak at a Chemical Bank seminar, and it was there that he met a young attractive girl by the name of Anne Friedman. Anne found Jay to be a wonderful speaker, charismatic and kind. She also thought he was quite the intellectual. Anne introduced herself to Jay afterwards, and the two became good friends. In the following years, their friendship blossomed into a wonderful and romantic courtship, and, as fate would have it, they fell in love. On September 27, 1998, Jay and Anne became husband and wife, with a small, intimate wedding in Napa Valley, California.
The newlyweds settled in the upper East side of Manhattan. In 2001, while residing in New York City, the couple welcomed the birth of their twins, Kendal and Stephen. When their children were about six years old, the family moved to the Smoke Rise community in Kinnelon, NJ, where they still reside. Jay loved his community and the life he was able to build. As an active member of his community, he served as treasurer of the Smoke Rise Board of Directors for more than ten years, and he was also part of the historical restoration of the Smoke Rise Chapel.
Jay also had an adventurous side: he was an avid golfer, occasional skier alongside his wife, snorkeler, race driver, and world traveler. Whether for business or vacation, Jay treasured traveling to destinations such as Chile, Argentina, Columbia, France, Italy, England, Ireland, Malta, and Spain, as well as many places across the US. He loved music, sometimes just listening and, other times, singing along. He was also quite handy and loved to work with his hands, whether that meant sitting down to build Legos with his kids or fixing up things around the house. He loved his sports and always enjoyed cheering on his favorite teams, the New York Yankees and the Dallas Cowboys, with his son, Stephen. He loved sharing snacks with his daughter, Kendal, and savoring the delicious treats that his wife and daughter often baked. One of his most treasured pastimes was going out to the movies with his wife, Anne, just about every weekend. He also adored each and every one of his pets; they brought the biggest smiles to his face.
Aside from all of Jay’s talents, hobbies, and interests, his greatest passion was for his family. Nothing in the world meant more to Jay than providing for and spending time with his wife and children. He was a truly devoted father, supporting his children through everything, in every way that he could. He was involved in every aspect of their lives, from first steps to college graduation. He adored them, and he could not have been more proud of who they have become. Jay and Anne were more than partners, they were best friends, soulmates, cherishing more than twenty-five years of loving and loyal marriage together.
Jay was a kind and thoughtful man, a true gentleman. His selflessness and generosity were his greatest assets. He was charming and had a wonderful charisma about him. Jay was a proficient public speaker, so it was no surprise that he had the ability to captivate an audience of any age with his skill to tell a story. He was a pillar in his community and was sincerely loved by everyone that knew him.
Jay will be forever remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father and a well-respected, well-loved member of his community and profession. Jay touched the lives of many people and will be truly missed by his family, friends, and his colleagues.
Jay is survived by his wife Anne (nee Friedman) of Kinnelon, NJ, his daughter Kendal Simmons of Kinnelon, NJ, his son Stephen Simmons of Kinnelon, NJ, his brother David Simmons and his wife Donna of Little River, SC, two nieces: Kiera Prior and Karen Bond, one nephew Kevin Simmons, and his sister-in-law Stephanie Friedman. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Olga Simmons.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jay’s name may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
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