Thomas Neil Kay

Thomas Neil Kay, beloved brother of Susan Kay, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, November 27, 2016. He was 72. He was born in New York City on May 5, 1944 and moved with his family to Jacksonville Beach, FL in 1953. Tom attended Duncan U. Fletcher High School and graduated from Florida Military School in Deland, FL in 1962. He also attended the University of Florida and UCLA. His father, Frank Kay and his mother, Mimi Kay Elpern and half sister, Eleanore Schmitt, predeceased Tom.

Tom is survived by his sister, Susan (David Baron) Kay of Skokie, IL, his nephews, Jacob (Sam Marrell) Baron of New York, and Zachary Baron of San Diego. Additional surviving relatives are step-sister, Gail (Sheldon) York of Las Vegas and nephew Steven York and his family; brother-in-law, Robert Schmitt of Jacksonville Beach, FL, and nephew, Philip Schmitt; many cousins in the Chicago area plus other family in Israel, Florida, Texas and Atlanta, Ga., and his friend and companion, Wanda Sirmones.

Professionally, Tom was a business entrepreneur in the travel and direct mail market industry and phenomenal at sales, including the sale of one of his companies to Amoco (now BP). He was the Founder of the International Travel Club and Founder and President of Controlled Programs, Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida. He volunteered for SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives). Tom loved all things related to business.

Tom was an avid sports enthusiast, particularly with water sports. He loved the outdoors. He had a passion for sailing his boat, “Man’s Work.” He also loved kayaking, biking, sailing his Hobie cat, and flying in his powered paraglider. He was great at and enjoyed playing pool with his nephews, Jacob and Zak. Travel was another love of Tom’s and counted Sydney, Australia, as one of his favorite places. His favorite vacations were piloting a sailboat in the British Virgin Islands or relaxing in St. Thomas. .

A Memorial Service for Tom was held on Friday, December 9, 2016 at 12:00 pm at Beth Hillel Congregation Bnai Emunah, 3220 Big Tree Lane, Wilmette, IL. The family received visitors at the home of Susan Kay and David Baron, in Skokie, IL on Friday, December 9th till 3:30 pm and on Saturday evening, There was a minyan at Susan and David’s home on Saturday evening.

A Graveside Dedication and Memorial Service will be held at H. Warren Smith Cemetery, 1538 2nd Ave North in Jacksonville Beach FL, for Thomas Neil Kay on Saturday, July 7,2018 at 10:30 AM. Tom’s sister, Susan Kay, and family will receive guests after the Service.

The family suggests memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Rd. Jacksonville, FL 32257.