Jay had an architect’s eye for design and an artist’s ability to sketch his concepts. As a junior member of an architect firm, with a deadline fast approaching and no progress in the firm, he sketched the design that was accepted for a federal building that is in downtown New Orleans.
He spent a lot of time at the neckwear factory where he took pride in providing employment to workers who were with the company for decades, and whom he knew on a first name basis. In difficult times, loyalty to employees surpassed the need to make a profit.
He had many memories and favorite places in New Orleans which he liked to share. One of those was “Mother’s Restaurant”. One Sunday, Jay agreed to meet his brother at Mother's for dinner. One brother went to “Mother’s Restaurant” and the other went to their mother’s house for dinner.
He was an early Macintosh adapter and embraced new technology and computer graphics. He founded an internet retail store in 1998 that is still in business. We traveled on business to New Orleans, Las Vegas, Miami, and New York finding products. Two weeks before 9/11, we stayed in the hotel directly across from the World Trade Center. The next morning I said, “Let’s go up to the observation floor at the top.” Jay said he was not comfortable with the height. I said, ‘The view is great. Let’s go up.' Again, he refused.
He had a keen sense of humor. Any ideas that did not work out were referred to as ‘brain farts.' Once he went to get a haircut at a new barber. They asked ‘Do you want a number one?" Without asking what that was, he said, ‘Ok.' They then practically shaved his head. Some people would have been upset; he thought it was funny.
He was a true friend with a big heart, fun to be with, who left us too early.
Bob Pekarik (a.k.a. "Mr. Bob")