John Francis Fay Jr.

John Francis Fay, Jr. (Jack) was called home on February 16, 2015. Jack was born to Frances Rita Chlupsa Fay and John Francis Fay, Sr. in Nyack, NY on October 8, 1948. He was 66 years old. Jack grew up in Rockland Lake, NY until his family moved to Congers, NY in 1959. A lifelong resident of Clarkstown, Jack was proud to enlist in the Army in 1969, serving as Military Police in the 529th Honor Guard in Heidelberg, Germany until his honorable discharge in 1972. He returned home and worked the remainder of his life for the Town of Clarkstown in Environmental Control, where he became the maintenance supervisor of the department, retiring in 2010. He was also a life member of Knickerbocker Engine Company in Rockland Lake. Lovingly known as “Big Jack” he proved himself time and time again, in his own quiet way, a man that everyone trusted to do the right thing. While working for the Town, he met and later married the love of his life, Natalie Brandt Fay, August 30, 1975, residing in West Nyack, NY since 1986. They have a wonderful family of five children, Jennifer Fay Maxwell (Richard), Krista Fay Rios (Joseph), John C. Fay (Jennifer), Megan Fay Carr (William), and Ryan Fay (Janelle). These children gave the family six beautiful grandchildren to be cherished, Jack Fay, Emma and Cailin Maxwell, Katherine and Jacqueline Carr, and Michael Rios. Jack loved them all and was given such joy to be a father and grandfather.

Jack lived a quiet, simple life, always content to be in the background and never taking his well-deserved credit for all the wonderful things he did throughout his life. Somehow he always was there to celebrate with us in the good times and to pick us up when we fell. The most important things in his life were family and integrity, and his example is one that is so greatly appreciated by all. Jack was never too tired or too busy to help anyone who needed him and never expected to be the hero that he truly was to us all. His physical heart may have lost the battle, but his ever-present kindness and care will always be there for everyone he loved. You many finally rest now, Jack, knowing that you have raised your larger and growing family to the very best of your ability and also knowing that we will do our best to live up to your standards, still heeding your warnings and listening to your praise. We will miss your physical presence but know that you are still always there for us. Our gratitude is never ending and we love you.

Jack was predeceased by his father, Jack and father-in-law, Hendrik Brandt, and is survived by his mother, Frances, mother-in-law, Natalie Brandt, one sister, Frances Jane Fay Mariconda (Thomas), wife, Natalie, children and grandchildren, sisters and brothers-in-law, Adriana and Frank Armstrong, and Gerald and Jolene Brandt, niece and nephews, Christopher and Sean Armstrong, Ilsa and Karl Brandt, as well as countless loved cousins.

Join us in remembering a wonderful man who will be honored with military and firematic services. Family will receive visitors at Michael J. Higgins Funeral Home in Congers, NY on Sunday, February 22, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9pm. Mass of Christian burial will take place Monday, February 23, 2015 at 10am St. Paul’s Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Frederick W. Loescher Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery at 220 Brick Church Road, New Hempstead, NY.