Jay W. Demarest, age 92, of Middletown, passed away May 4, 2024.
Jay is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Carol; his children, Chris Demarest, Caryn Demarest (Jeff Hicks), Colleen (Shaun) Figueroa; his stepchildren, Laurie (Bill) Anderson, John (Sharon) Kettyle; and his grandchildren, Junelle, Jayden, Jaxon, Dante, Christopher, Michael, Matt, Alexandra and Garrett.
Jay was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and served during the Korean War. He was a graduate of Panzer College and Seton Hall University.
Prior to establishing the athletic programs and serving as the first athletic director at Holmdel High School, Jay taught and coached football and track and field at Keyport High School and Monmouth Regional High School where he also served as vice principal.
Jay owned and operated J & J Driving School in Keyport. He was also involved in many sports camps during his summers. He was an avid runner and prided himself on running in marathons, especially the New York City Marathon.
Jay was the recipient of many awards throughout his life. He was inducted into the Directors of Athletics Association Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Shore Track Coaches Hall of Fame in 2016. A yearly award ceremony in Holmdel High School offers the Jay Demarest Outstanding Athletic Award for both female and male athletes. He also had the honor of having the annual Shore Track Winter opener renamed the Demarest Invitational.
Jay thought he would not like traveling; however, Carol gifted him a trip to Italy and he became immersed in planning various trips they could enjoy. She would tease him saying, “He went from athletic director to cruise director!” Jay and Carol traveled all over the world but his favorite trip of all was to Ireland. These trips created many lifelong memories that Jay cherished. He was a wonderful person, and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 30 at United Methodist Church of Red Bank, 247 Broad St., Red Bank, NJ 07701.
Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank has been entrusted with the arrangements.
The article originally appeared in the May 23 – 29, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
