I am broken hearted to learn of dear cousin Jay's passing. I was back in Ohio during the pandemic, but so regret never having made that connection here in New York. Dear Phyllis, if you are reading this, know that I am holding the Chollicks in my heart and will find you all.  One of my cherished memories of my mother's final days 15 years ago is the visit of her beloved Chollick cousins.  I am sure she greeted her favorite cousin Up There with open arms.
 Much much love.
Frannie

I just saw this notice on line of Jay’s passing. I knew him from the NYC poetry scene. Every time Jay read, I knew i was going to be transported into a world of gorgeous words and imagery. Jay’s poetry was simply transcendent. I always wished I could write like him and even told him so one, “Jay, I want to write like you when I grow up.” He really laughed. Pleasant memories. May he rest in peace.

I grew up with my 2nd cousin Jay, Phyllis and the boys. He and my father had a close and very loving relationship as kids in NYC and also as adults. Jay's parents were wonderful, creative and loving people who were very much of this world and politically interested. We would often visit him and his family at large gatherings. Before Jay's poetic career, he was a capable fine and commercial artist... I have a great memory of him drawing a cover for a book report when I was in elementary school. After my father passed, Jay was very good about keeping up with my mother, which meant the world to her. In 2013, I held a 90th birthday celebration for her and Jay and Phyllis, with great effort, attended and we all celebrated together. I maintained contact with him through the years talking family,  politics, the news, the challenges of aging, what we've been reading and what was top of mind. I'm really rather heart-broken at his passing, and send my love to his sons and family.

Jay Chollick was one of the bright lights of the Queens and L.I. poetry scene.  His brilliant, acerbic wit was a joy to behold, and his readings of his own work were always crisp and elegant.  But he was a kind-hearted poet, sharing his work -- and his praise of others -- with the same generous spirit.  It was always a pleasure to meet up with him at a reading, and he was one of my favorite guests on our TV show, Poet to Poet (with Robert Dunn.)  One reason he and I might have been so comfortable together was that he and I both wrote parodies and satires.    Once, he emailed a biting commentary on a politician to his circle of poets, and when I read it, I wrote a take-off of his work (but attacking an opposing politician.)  Numerous mutual friends sent me scathing letters attacking me for what I'd done.  But Jay sent me a lovely note (and in conversation, later reiterated) his appreciation for what I'd done, which was to write an exact satire/parody of his piece -- since he knew that what I wrote had been an exact take-off of what he'd written, and he appreciated wit and the repartee inherent in a conversation within poetry.  I will always remember him for his stunning linguistic flair, his incisive ideas, his personal warmth, and his gracious friendship.   May he rest in peace, under the wings of angels, and surrounded by the greats of literature and poetry!

I didn’t know Jay. However, the few times that I saw and heard him read his poetry at the Riverside Library have left a lasting impression on me. His presence will be missed, as well his poetry and his humanness. May he Rest In Peace. 

I'm so sad to hear of Jay's death. I heard him read his poetry so often at the Nightingale Lounge and other places. We sometimes walked together to the bus stop on 14th Street following the readings, and I loved our conversations. He was such a beautiful person--I often thought about the things he said for long after. RIP, Jay--you were one of a kind. And thank you for always encouraging me. And really listening to my poems.

I remember seeing him read his poems at many poetry readings. He was a great poet who I always looked forward to seeing at readings.

Jay Chollick was a highly respected award-winning poet, who attended a great many reading over the past twenty-five years in NYC and Long Island, and had many features in NYC. Yesterday, he was memorialized and honored at Nomads Choir virtual open poetry mike through ZOOM by a nice crowd of poets who often read Jay's poetry besides our own and related some personal memories. I attended the same High school, Music and Art in Manhattan with composer MIke Kamen and award-winning singer-songwriter Laura Nyro.  Jay graduated some 19 years before I did.

a Nightingale night 

It was Monday on East 4th
and we would be there, to read
to believe in our worth, and those
were our days and we made them

we were close way back then
we would listen to names like
Robert Dunn or you

would leave and go to the Back Fence
or St.  Marks, to Velselka or Little Poland
we are beat or Village;  we are bohemian
or comrades

only we knew this energy and you are
one reason to believe in memory
we have had our poets and our
laureates as you take flight into
a nightingale night.

Jay was one of my favorite cousins. He was a very genuine, caring,  person who had a tremendous love of family and went out of his way to stay in touch with family members.  If you were wondering about what was happening with other family members, you could always ask Jay. Family members were drawn to him because they knew he was genuinely interested in their lives.  He was known for his kindness, generosity, and willingness to be there for others. 

I remember Jay for his creativity, keen wit, and great sense of humor.  He was always fun to be around.  He made a notable contribution to the art world and later in life touched many with his profound, heart felt poetry.  Living in California, I never was able to attend one of Jay's poetry meets but had the opportunity to listen to Jay on tape.  His reading was emotional, exciting and thought provoking.  I can only imagine how pleasing and inspiring he was to others who heard him. 

 Jay was a very special person to me who will be greatly missed. 

Whenever Jay Chollick came to the stage, we knew we were in the hands of a master.  Any poetry reading that Jay was a part of was instantly a better reading.  Simply put, he made us want to be better poets.  I am honored to have shared open mic stages with him, and deeply saddened that he has left this realm. 

To his family and loved ones: please know that Jay held a revered place in the poetry community, and he will be dearly missed.  We hold you in our hearts and our prayers as you grieve.

I, Laura Ludwig, will always think of Jay Chollick as a great person and a brilliant poet. He will be missed by many people who were fortunate enough to have his friendship and kindness. Condolences to his family.

A unique poetic voice; a beautiful man with a generous soul. He is missed.           Fred Simpson

My sincere condolences to his family members. I know the poetry Community will experience grief and feel a loss. Jay was a colorful spirit. His clothes expressed the range of emotion. I recited with Jay and he used to pick Evie Ivy and me up from the station so we could go to readings easily or be safe going home. I think he had an unusual talent of making you really listen to the words in his poems.   He was the kind of poet who definitely had a presence. He was very intelligent and kind. He will be missed but always remembered.

I first met Jay, when we were each interviewed in an art gallery for "Poet to Poet". You can still find his interview on U-tube and mine. I remember him telling me he was an art teacher and that he started writing poetry later in life. I bought a book of his that has his poems and drawings in it probably last year when he featured at the "Green Pavilion Restaurant Dinner With The Muse Reading Series." I knew when Jay showed up anywhere on the NYC poetry circuit that he would set the tone, as he was/is the best of the best. I liked that he always would sit next to me, or in back of me or in front of me, so we could comment on each other's poems. Maybe, he appreciated me -- but then maybe he knew I could be trusted to watch his stuff when it was his turn to read. He will be greatly missed. My sincerest condolences to his family. I so loved the way he read, what he read -- it was always about love, so enriching and giving. He left the world a better place.









I am deeply saddened to hear my pal, Jay, has passed. I will cherish the poetry chapbooks of his work that he gave me. Jay, I’ll keep on wearing my post-career ties as reconfigured neck ornamentation in your honor! Rest peacefully, my pal. I send my condolences to Jay’s family. 

Patrick Hammer, Jr. 

He was beloved by everyone in the NYC poetry community. A friend and teacher to all of us. With deepest sympathies to his family. 

I met Jay way back in 96 at the Nomads Choir poetry reading. I was struck by the beautiful music in his poems, his love of language, and his unique recitation style. But even more striking was his generosity and encouragement. Always a kind comment, a warm hello. It seemed important to Jay that everyone felt seen and heard.  Jay was an outstanding force both in his poetry and his presence. A jewel of a human being. I feel privileged to have known him. 

I was one of many poets who were gently mentored by Jay in the NYC poetry community. An inspiringly passionate reader of his poetry, he was also a thoughtful, wise and lovely man.  Peace to his family and to his spirit.


What a gentleman Jay was.   His kindness  and patience taught me a great deal.  The poetry community will miss him! My consolences to his family.

I knew  Jay from the New York poetry  community.
He was a fine poet and real gentleman. My condolences to his family and friends.
Davidson Garrett

Many NYC poets are grieving now with the passing of Jay. An award-winning poet, and fine artist, a gentleman of the first order. 
I had graduated from the HS of Music and art as a cellist-pianist-guitarist and composer in '65, 19 years after Jay and his wife did. I know he is writing and painting in heaven.

I knew Jay primarily as a Poet and Humanist.
He had an unbounded Spirit.
He not only lived Life he felt Life.
And he created Love.
Jay was not here as an Observer.
He was going to observe actively; to breathe life into others; to challenge and Mourn when necessary and  Celebrate whenever Possible.
And So he was Human In the Fullest Sense.

OBITUARY

Jay Chollick

May 25, 1928 – August 27, 2020

Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapels

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