Jay S Straka

It is with sorrow, gratitude and honor that we share the passing of our father, Jay Steven Straka, who left this world for a heavenly kingdom on June 7, 2025, at the age of 74. He passed away peacefully in the hospital, surrounded by his family, just as he had wanted.

Pops was born on December 7, 1950, in Newark, New Jersey, to Joseph and Virginia Straka. He was the second of three children, his father’s only son. He graduated from Bloomfield High School (NJ) and served honorably in the U.S. Coast Guard, after which he moved to Indiana to pursue an education and career in commercial printing.

He married Sandra Sue Burrows in 1972 and together they raised four sons—Joseph Steven Straka II, William, Thomas and Robert.

In 1980, at the age of 29, Jay founded Priority Press, an Indianapolis-based commercial printing company and a life-long dream. He built Priority through hard-work, dedication and sacrifice starting with a single press that he ran at night while he actively sold printing during the day. He successfully retired in 2009 selling the business to two of his sons. Jay saw the business grow under his sons and lived to celebrate Priority’s 45th anniversary this year.

For nearly 30 years, Jay poured his life into Priority and for him, it was all about the people. Clients trusted him and he shared deep bonds with many. Employees stayed for decades and he treated them all the same—with dignity and respect. He was an eternal optimist and the most positive person known to man. If you were ever down, he could lift your spirits.

Jay is survived by his sons Joseph Steven Staka II (Molly), William and Robert; his grandchildren Elyse, Jay Steven Straka II and Virginia Sage; his sisters Carol (Ed) Flynn and Kathy Straka Kirtland, along with his nine nieces and nephews—Kelly, Kathleen, Kevin, Wayne, Eric, Ryan, Jay, Michael and Greg—and “his angel” and partner, Jackqueline Schultz. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepbrother, Ted, his partner of 20 years, Gloria LeRoux, and his son, Thomas.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 11:00 am at Westlake Community Church where he was a member, with a reception to follow at the Country Club of Indianapolis, where he was also a member. A second celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Gulf Pines Cemetery in Englewood, FL where he will be laid to rest.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to Off the List, a non-profit dedicated to getting kidney patients off the kidney transplant list (www.getoffthelist.org).

We will miss him every day, but we are so grateful to have been his sons. His legacy lives on in the values he passed down, his unbridled optimism and positivity, and the strength he gave us all.

Goodbye, Dad. Thank you for everything. We love you and will see you soon.