I first met Jay and that beautiful mustache almost 20 years ago, June of 1999, shortly before I began working for him at “The Palis.” Jay made it clear that we weren’t working for him but that he, Rosemary and I were a team. At work Jay was a great teacher and phenomenal mentor, the best of the best. He was a natural leader who always listened, trusted those who worked with him and sincerely tried to help those around him be their best. His balanced assessments and calm demeanor even in the most stressful of times, and there were many, was the bellwether by which others around him responded and addressed the situation or task at hand. Jay also possessed a life-work balance that was to be envied, and I still hear his voice clear in my head, “Young Robert, we need to work hard and play hard too.” Like that time he coordinated delivery of my safety shoes from the region and much to my chagrin I opened a safety shoe box that contained large pink fluffy house slippers, which was followed by hysterical laughter. To this day, I have the gift he gave me on my desk when I left the Palis. As I opened it Jay said, “follow these words Young Robert and you will do well.” Jay was thoughtful in every action he took, here are those words on my desk for the past 15 years, “Essence of Destiny - Watch your thoughts for they become words, choose your words, for they become actions, understand your actions, for they become habits. Study your habits, for they will become your character. Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny.” I would not be where I am today, had I not had the opportunity to learn from Jay.
For those of us lucky enough to be able to call Jay our friend, the window into his personal life and how he carried himself was no different than at work. He was just as focused and dedicated at home as a loving father to “the twins” and loving husband to Joy, the love of his life. I saw Jay coordinating his work schedule to ensure he could attend as many of the children’s games, ensuring he had the most green and plush lawn in all of St. Joe (along with coordinated attacks on the mole that loved his lawn too), and ensuring he had the cleanest driveway in all of St. Joe even in the heaviest of blizzards. Some of the best times we spent together were on that beloved Chapparral deck boat “Chase -n- Summer,” and sharing thoughts over a beer. Jay always joked that he was going to open a bar named “He’s Not Here,” so that every time someone called, the bartender could just answer with the name of the place and hang up.
Jay’s presence and influence will forever be felt by all his family, friends and coworkers. Fair winds and following seas, and long may your big jib draw!
~ young robert
