Jordan K. Volan

The beloved Jordan Keith Volan, Jordy, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of July 9th, 2023 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan. He was 54 years old. He was shrouded in love at the time of his passing with his devoted husband Ben by his side. Jordan is survived by his adoring Volan, Baron, Turken & García families, and countless numbers of friends…a testament to a life lived with kindness, curiosity, acceptance, and love. Jordan leaves behind his husband, Benjamin García-Volan, their fur baby Olive, his brother Douglas Volan, his aunt, Naomi Volan and her husband, Bernard Rosen, his cousins, James Baron, Todd Baron & Elizabeth Farkas, his sisters-in-law Yvonne & Yvette Garcia & his nephew, Joseph Mattos-García.

Jordan was a native son of New York, born to Stuart & Jayne Volan on April 16th, 1969. He was the younger sibling to big brother Doug. He was raised in Chelsea where he continued to reside until his passing. Jordan attended New York City public grammar schools and went on to be accepted to the prestigious LaGuardia High School of Music & Art as an art major where he developed his talent and passion for artistic expression and painting. Upon graduating from there in 1987, Jordan went on to attend and graduate from Skidmore College in 1991, where he further honed his artistic ability. Throughout his childhood, Jordan attended art sessions at The Art Students League and attended The Hudson Guild where he cultivated his penchant for magic and being on the dramatic stage. Jordan channeled his artistic skills and worked as a graphic artist throughout most of his adult life.

He loved all things sci-fi ranging from Star Trek to Battlestar Galactica to Dr. Who, and each and every iteration of the three franchises in-between. He enjoyed comic books and had a special appreciation for the Marvel & DC Universes. Having such a loving heart, Jordan adored animals, and had a particular affinity for cats. He was a playful cat dad to his beloved Fondue & Lexi, who predeceased him, and his adoring Olive, who he would affectionately refer to as Baby Girl. Jordan loved Broadway shows and had a particular adoration for performer extraordinaire, Norm Lewis. His strong baritone voice lulled Jordan into a welcomed escape from some of the harsh cruelties in life. Jordan enjoyed frequent trips to Florida to visit his mother and other family members. He also grew his chosen family there with Sammie Rashid at the core as his best friend. In 2005, Jordan met the man he would eventually marry, Ben on a dating app. They enjoyed nearly two decades of being in one another’s lives experiencing the joys and trials of life, always being on each other’s side as a champion, cheerleader, and fierce defender. Although diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2017, Jordan’s positive attitude and focus allowed him to defy the odds and survive well passed his initial six-month prognosis. Jordan’s life will not be defined by his illness. He expressed his desire to be most remembered as a loving, kind, caring, compassionate man with an inordinate ability to see the good in people and desire to make everyone laugh. The world is a lesser place without the beloved and incomparable Jordan K. Volan. His external gorgeousness is second only to the beauty within him. That face, that hair, those eyes, that smile, the most beautiful of hearts and that contagious laughter…his absence will be felt, each and every day.

Details on Jordan’s funeral arrangements are as follow:

Funeral Service:

Saturday, July 15th, 2023 ~ 1:00-3:30 PM

Service begins promptly at 2pm

Schwartz Brothers-Jeffer Memorial Chapel

114-03 Queens Boulevard

Forest Hills, NY 11375

Committal Service: ~ Private Interment

At Jordan’s request, in lieu of flowers or other expression of sympathy, please consider a donation in his honor to one of the charities listed:

~The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation of America

https://cholangiocarcinoma.org/donate

~The Ali Forney Center

https://www.aliforneycenter.org/donate

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sbjmemorialchapel.com for the Volan family.