Jay Howard Reynolds, 90, of the Atrium at Navesink Harbor in Red Bank, passed away peacefully on the Eve of the Feast of the Presentation, Feb. 1, 2021, after a brief illness. Jay was born in 1930 in Neshannock, Pennsylvania, the second son of the late Howard Earl Reynolds and Rachel LaDora Reynolds (née Ralston).
He was a leader in the telecommunications industry and was instrumental in the use of microwave transmission and development of HDTV through his employment with several domestic and international companies. Over the years, he was an active member of each of his communities, serving on local church sessions and resident association boards, most recently as vice president of the community board at the Atrium and editor of the News Reviews & Reflections, in addition to his roles as resident tech consultant and pool shark in the billiards hall.
Jay was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Margaret Joann Reynolds (née Owens), a.k.a. “Peggy,” also of Red Bank and originally of New Castle, Pennsylvania, who was born on the Feast of the Presentation, Feb. 2, 1933, and died Dec. 9, 2019. Peggy and Jay were married May 28, 1955. They are survived by their two sons, Dale Loy Reynolds (Elizabeth Nisbet) of New York City and Bryan Alan Reynolds of East Hanover; three granddaughters, Hayley Kathryn Vislocky (John) of John’s Island, South Carolina, Kelsey Anne Peltzer (Colton) of Vista, California, and Joanna May Reynolds of New York City; one great-granddaughter, Fiona Claire Vislocky; and one sister, Betty June Bogle, of York, Pennsylvania.
In addition to his parents, Jay was preceded in death by four brothers, Raymond Earl Reynolds, Jerry Forbes Reynolds, James Lewis Reynolds and Gene Howard Reynolds.
A memorial service conducted by Rev. Theresa Swenson will be scheduled at a later date in Red Bank. A private interment liturgy will be conducted by Rev. Lorrie Ghering-Burick at the graveside in New Castle. Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made in Jay’s honor to: First Presbyterian Church of Red Bank, 255 Harding Road, Red Bank, NJ 07701; First Presbyterian Church of New Castle, 125 North Jefferson St., New Castle, PA 16101; or the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Ave., 17th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601, or alz.org.
The article originally appeared in the February 18 – 24, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
