Birth date: Mar 30, 1937 Death date: Aug 4, 2015
John F. “Jay” Ackerman, age 78 of St. Clair died Tuesday, August 4, 2015. Jay was born March 30, 1937 in Jersey City, New Jersey to the late John and Helen Ackerman Sr.. He graduated from Wittenberg University and worked for Ford Read Obituary
Both of us only children, Jay and I met around 1939 as toddlers, growing up with him at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jersey City. We were two weeks and 1" apart in age and height, were acolytes together, "ran" the Luther League together, were confirmed together, and socialized. As an aside, my mother had been his mother's Sunday School teacher. Jay was the product of a quiet, avuncular father and an outgoing, embracing mother (who clearly liked and always welcomed me). When I went off to Muhlenberg and he to Wittenberg, the frequency of our contacts diminished, though we had multi-day visits while we were in college and when I lived in Illinois. We and our relatively new wives Barbara even bumped into one another in Newark Airport and nearly missed our flights in order to talk.
Then, maybe 6-7 years ago, through a Jersey City friend I found him in Palm Beach County, and we had a long, great lunch. When I tried doing that again a couple years later, I couldn't find him. So how did I find this? He had been in my mind for a couple months, and I kept putting off my Google search. This morning I did it.
I didn't really know him as an older man, but I knew him very well as a kid, teenager, and young adult. The man with whom I had lunch in Delray Beach was plump, had a strong voice, was shorter than I, and spoke good narrative. The guy I once knew was slim, had a soft voice and a stutter, was taller than I, and laughed a lot.
I extend my sorrows to you, his family, for your loss of this relatively young guy!
Ed Meyer
[email protected]
8/25/15
Hi Judy & family
Sally & I wish to extend our most sincere condolences for your loss!!
Jay was a great friend, golfer and fisherman!! He actually caught fish, I did not!!
We and all at Tropic Harbor will certainly miss him!!
Fondly,
Sally & Dick
John Frederick Ackerman III can tell a story. John can tell a story because Jay could tell a story. Jay loved a good story and I see him in John whenever John is telling a good one.
Jay also loved music. I bought an alblum recently of Count Bassie and Joe Williams. I first heard it out of Jay's music collection. I think about Jay every time I hear it.
Jay accepted people for who they were, not what they looked like. Jay never spoke about it, but it was clear from his actions. I also found Jay to be generous and forgiving. Generous because he chose to be. Forgiving because I may have needed it (on more than one occasion).
Jay also dealt with the loss of his first wife and the raising of two children without a blueprint. He did so with grace and to the best of his ability. In time Jay and Judy found each other and together created a great environment for their five collective children, who have all become adults that any parent could be proud of.
I will always have great fondness and much respect for Jay, along with many memories that lie at the foundation of who I am. I will miss you Jay. May you find peace.
