I remember lots of fun at Jay and Mary’s.  I just saw a video of a kid on an Alpine slide, and I told my own kids how Uncle Jay was excited to take my sisters and me to the Alpine slide at Camelback when we were young.  Jay was always up for fun …. He was the first to ever show me the “Pull My Finger” trick, and at age 11 I thought it was the funniest thing I had ever seen.  He took me golfing, we watched late Phillies games with John and Steve until 1am, and we rode motorcycles.  I played the arcade version of “ExciteBike” for hours in the basement, after a delinquent tenant at Herb’s Storage World had to relinquish their stand-up games to Jay.  It was always great to go with him to visit Robbie at the car place, because I’d get a soda from a little fridge and feel like I was on important business.  

In my teen years, he introduced me to Howard Stern, other great comedians, and ways to get better at golf.  Aside from the fun, he taught me about finance and going after stuff you want …   I bought my first set of golf clubs from him.  I did not have the full amount up front, so he let me have them and I paid him a few dollars every month for a year by mail, and he even sent me receipts to show complete transactions.  As an incoming high schooler, I was anxious about trying out for football due to the 3 mile run requirement.  I had never run for distance, and was nervous I’d fail.  In his Jay-like way (because I think he said “don’t be a pansy” or something like that!), he pumped up my confidence and gave me pointers.  He trained me when I came up to Boyertown that summer before tryouts, and I ended up coming in 6th out of the 50+ guys who were trying out for football.  

I remember a lot about Jay and Mary; their bustling house of people coming and going was such a huge part of my childhood.  They were always there, and they always wanted us there, too.  I loved going there.  I could write pages … the memories will live on through stories I will tell to my children.

Jay, you were always THE BEST big brother. I love you.

Jay and Mary, 

 Your forever energy knows I love you both.   As an only child, joining Arlen's family was certainly an experience!  The relationship that developed among you and Mary, John and Steve, and Arlen and I and Adam, Lindsay and Rachel was beyond special. The two of you and your generosity of caring and gifts to us and our children are now a part of my forever energy.  All those memories are precious to  Arlen, Adam, Lindsay, and Rachel as well.  You were the embodiment, along with Grammy and Pappy, of "being Herbs".  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Jay, you were the best big brother and blossoming patriarch when our yellow Ford Pinto wouldn't hold five fannies after the girls were born.  You and "Mesty", traded our Pinto for a Chevy Caprice Station Wagon, a big sucker that got about 9 miles to the gallon. It was missing part of its fake wood and stalled at stop lights before it totally warmed up in damp weather, but it saved our moneyless butts for several years. 

Just because I'm not sitting in a chair staring at your casket doesn't mean I'm not there. I am. My heart is with Arlen, and you and Mary are in my heart as well.  "Boyertown" may not be a magical name to you but it was to me because of Grammy, Pappy, you, and Mary, and MamMam and Mabel. All of you named enriched my family.  I'm eternally grateful.

Sharon

Dang, Jay...you were a good lookin' guy!  Floods of memories:  sharing bedroom with older brother; coins clinking as he filled his pockets before going out to school in his "rod";  leaning over from the top bunk to "bug" him;  older sister Barbara chasing him down the hall, jumping on him and pounding her fists on him as he chuckled to himself for having "got her".  And he was always so, so good to my children - lots of stories there I'll leave to Adam, Lindsay, and Rachel.  Also remembering Mary again at this time.  She and Sharon were like sisters, and when we visited Jay had two feisty gals to deal with...as he shook his head at them saying:  "It ain't right, it just ain't right!"  Good man, husband, father, grandfather, and brother.

So...it was all good --- really.


We send our condolences to the Herb family. Herb not only gave us many years of help with his tag service, it was the only service my dad Charlie Auman (Charlie's Wheel Alignment) dealt with. Our prayers are with you.

We were so saddened by the news of Jay's illness and his passing.  I grew up with Jay on Sixth Street and have many fond memories of our times spent together and during the times he helped us through his business during our adult lives.  He was a true friend and we will miss him.  Our thoughts  and prayers go out to his family for God's hand of comfort and His loving mercy to help you as you journey through this  difficult time.   He left a legacy of fond memories to sustain you.

OBITUARY

Arthur Jay Herb

2 January, 1944 – 28 May, 2018

Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home Inc.

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