Obituary of John Jay, CD

John Jay, CD, P.Eng. - 77, Windsor, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2013, surrounded by members of his immediate family. He was born on January 1, 1936, in Pisquid West, PEI, to the late Malcolm B. and Jessie M. (Buchanan) Jay.He is survived by his wife and best friend, Della Marie; his children, John Fitzgerald (Laila), Toronto; Elizabeth (Dr. Simon Walling), Halifax; adored grandchildren, Jessie, Jackson, Jonah, Malcolm; sister, Gloria M. Fullerton, Cornwall, PEI; brother, Brian G. (Marion), Halifax; his first wife, Joyce (Mason) Jay; many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother in infancy.He attended Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Technical College, graduating with a B.Eng. in Civil Engineering in 1959. He was a Consulting Engineer for 46 years until retiring at the age of 75 as the Chairman of Novaport International Consultants Limited. As the managing director of Canadian Plant and Process Engineering, Canplan Consultants and Novaport, he traveled the world from Bangladesh to Belize and from Yemen to Guyana.A compulsive volunteer, he gave his time and resources to many organizations including: The YMCA where he served as Chairman of the Halifax Y, Chairman of the International Development Committee, Representative at the World Alliance of YMCAs in Uganda, and was an Honourary Trustee at the time of his death. He served on the Board of Pine Hill Divinity Hall and The Atlantic School of Theology. John had an abiding interest in tall ships as a youth training and skill development initiative. He was the Vice Chairman of the Tall Ships 2000 transatlantic race for which he received the Robin Duchesne Memorial for best tall ships venue. He was a member of the Board of the Nova Scotia International Tattoo Foundation.Of particular interest to John were matters relating to the Royal Canadian Navy. He was an active member of the Naval reserve, attached to HMCS SCOTIAN for 16 years, retiring as a Constructor Lt. Cdr. He was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration in 1964. A member of the Royal United Services Institute and a Life Trustee of the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust which he recently served as Chairman. John was a trustee of Windsor United Church at the time of his death.A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held 2 p.m., Monday, February 25, 2013, in Windsor United Church, 613 King Street, Windsor, Reverend Bill Gibson officiating. Reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to Canadian Naval Memorial Trust, P.O. Box 99000, Stn Forces, Halifax, NS  B3K 5X5, in his memory, would be appreciated. Arrangements have been entrusted to DeMont Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 419 Albert Street, Windsor (902-798-8317). Messages of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting: www.demontfamilyfuneralhome.ca