Dr Burton Jay
June 03, 1934 - December 13, 2015
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Dr Burton Jay
June 03, 1934 - December 13, 2015
Obituary
Dr. Burton Jay passed away peacefully in San Diego on December 13th, 2015 at the age of 81. He was loved and respected by Susan, his wife of 59 years, his children and their spouses, Michael and Mary, Danny and Noelle, & Debby and Dave as well as his grandchildren, Sarah, Joshua, Jordan, Jeremy and Elliott.
Burton Jay was born in Brooklyn, New York, the eldest of five children. He received degrees from Alfred University and Albert Einstein School of Medicine, served his country as a flight surgeon in the Air Force, and practiced medicine for 37 years as a dermatologist, chief of his department at Kaiser Permanente Medical Group in San Diego.
Burton had many passions throughout his life. He was an avid reader, gardener, gentleman farmer, environmentalist and enjoyed sailing. He and Susan shared a love for opera and classical music and remain great supporters of the arts. Whatever the cause or organization with which Burton became involved, he rose to a position of leadership, guiding others along the way.
He cared deeply about the world around him ranging from political and environmental issues to the plight of those less fortunate and Jewish causes. Much of what he did was unknown to others as he was a man who did for others because it was the right thing to do, never asking for recognition or something in return. He treated everyone with the respect they deserve. He will be missed by all who knew him and his spirit will live on as we are all better people for having known him.
A Jewish graveside funeral service was held for Dr. Burton Jay on Tuesday, December 15th, 2015 in Bellingham, Washington followed by a reception attended by many caring and loving friends and family.
Donations in his memory may be made to
Chabad Rohr Center for Jewish Life, 102 Highland Dr. Bellingham, WA 98225 http://www.jewishbellingham.com
or
Congregation Beth Israel Building Fund 2200 Broadway, Bellingham, WA 98225 http://bethisraelbellingham.org/giving/building-donations.
8 responses to Dr Burton Jay
Burton Swaim, LCSW says:
December 13, 2015
I had the pleasure of meeting Burton @ Kaiser 4th & Maple St in about l968, when I went to work for SCPMG/Kaiser San Diego. I always found him to be a gracious man, with a very pleasant smile and a bend of his head.I remember when he bought two (2) lots so he would have a view of a lake, unobstructed. I don’t know if he built or sold, but I remember his excitement!
I retired from Kaiser in l999 and I have often fondly remembered what a gracious, sweet man. Comfortable in his being!
My heart goes out to his wife Susan and his precious family and friends. It was a memorable, unforgettable opportunity to have met him on the path!
With love and fond memories. Burton Swaim, 76 and on the path
Bev McCullough says:
December 13, 2015
I have not asked for permission to post this. Please keep it in confidence, Thank you.
On Christmas Day, when I called my relative, Charles Fretz on the family farm north of Bellingham, he shared his sadness over the death of “his good friend” Dr Jay. Thank you and your family for thinking of Charles.
It says so much about your father and husband that his kindness and friendship extended to so many people including a lonely bachelor on a country farm.
Blessings to you and your family as you travel the path of grief in these days. May the blessings of his life and the knowledge that his, and your kindnesses, touched so many lives in significant ways bring you comfort.
Bev McCullough
Andrew Moquin says:
December 13, 2015
Was saddened to hear of Dr. Jay’s passing. I knew him as a true gentleman and a avid lover and supporter of fine music. Each year since the I believe the inception in 1993 of the Bellingham Festival of Music I would look forward to seeing Dr. Jay and his lovely wife Susan appear with their glowing faces eager to hear more music. Even when health might keep most of us at home they seemed to appear and take their seats front and center. I was always eager to hear their critic as they were most knowledgeable about classical music. His memory will live on indeed and I am certain he will be missed by many including myself. I do send my heartfelt condolences to Susan and family. I also hope I might see Susan again since I was out of town for the service to personally express my sympathy. Maybe at the Festival in July? May he rest in peace!
Douglas J. Reeves says:
December 13, 2015
My sincere condolences to the family, friends and associates of Dr. Burton Jay. I admired Dr. Jay very much.
I am very appreciative of his guidance and kindnesses to me early in my career. We worked together at the San Diego Professional Standards Review Organization in the early 80’s. He was a driving force in this embryonic effort to bring improved quality and efficiency to healthcare delivery in the US. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling with Dr. Jay to several professional conferences to report our progress in this area.
I’ll never forget a rather rough emergency landing in Las Vegas on our way to Reno one year. He and Susan handled that with such grace and fortitude that it became a model of how I wanted my marriage to be.
His enthusiasm for life and his devotion to his career, family, and community have been very important influences on my life. What a wonderful man.
Sincerely,
Doug Reeves
Gina Jacobs says:
December 13, 2015
You were one of the most kind, caring and compassionate men I have ever met. What you did in your life time to help others with such passion and gentleness, was extraordinary. I feel honored to have known you.