Eulogy by Colleen’s Mother Nancy Commerford

Jay has been a very special part of our family.  I’d like to share with you just a few of the things that made him so very special to us.

Colleen was away at college when she met Jay, so it was some time before we met him.  One day she mentioned to me where his dad worked; I immediately made the connection that I knew his dad and mom as I had worked with his dad not too many years before.  I had gotten to know his mom, as well, at various functions.  I told Colleen I heard his parents speak about Jay and his brother Eric quite often, in a very loving and proud way.  I knew, right then, that Jay had to be a very special person because I already knew how special his parents were.

Jay was a very sharing and caring person, and fun to be around.  He was at home with all of our relatives, as they were with him.

He especially loved Michael and often, with Colleen, picked up Michael for the weekend, often to go to the movies.  Together Jay and Michael would have their popcorn.  Jay would buy Michael Sesame Street muppets whenever he saw them, especially at flea markets which he loved.  One day Jay decided to spend some time at Michael’s house categorizing and compiling Michael’s myriad video and music cassettes and CD’s into a list so that he, or anyone else who wanted to buy Michael a new tape, could use it to make it easier not to duplicate.  He then gave copies to family members.  Michael called him “friend Jay,” never Jay, but always “friend Jay.”  Michael always had a smile on his face when he spoke of “friend Jay.”  Jason was his friend, his pal, and we will all miss that great connection they made.  Thank you, Jason, for being Michael’s friend.

I  remember how he taught me how to operate a DVD player, and then had to show me a second time months later, and, okay, a third time J, until I finally got it, and he was so patient with me and never complained.  If I start worrying about something, or get agitated, I will always remember what Jay used to say to me:  “Chill” and I will.

But what made us most happy is the love he had for our daughter, and the twinkle in his eye whenever he was with her.  You can see that twinkle in the pictures of them together.  On the day of the accident, Michael and I were on a train heading to Spokane.  That evening, after getting the phone call from Colleen, we once again saw that twinkle in his eye.  This time it was to comfort us.  Michael was looking for stars in the sky and I looked up and said to Michael, “See that twinkling star up there, Michael?  That is Jay telling us not to worry; that everything is going to be okay.”

Thank you, Jason, for blessing our family for six precious years.