Obituary
Jay Thurrott was born in Meriden, CT on June 12, 1950 and spent his childhood in Fishers Island, NY. After college, he moved down to New Smyrna Beach, FL in the early 70’s with his family.
Jay was a retired environmental chemist and worked for the City of Daytona Beach for over 30 years. He grew over 700 varieties of bromeliads at this home in Port Orange, Florida and had been growing bromeliads since the 70’s. A lifetime member of the Florida East Coast Society (FECBS), Jay was their newsletter editor and had served as secretary, vice president and president of that organization. He served as his club’s representative of the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies (FCBS) for many years and is a past Chairman of that organization. He was also active in local garden club activities. He was a former president of the Halifax Council of Garden Clubs (a consortium of 7 garden clubs in the Daytona Beach area). He served two, three-year terms as president of the Bromeliad Society International (BSI) after having served as a director and vice-president of the organization. Jay was also a BSI accredited judge and had judged bromeliad shows in and out of the USA.
Jay enjoyed his plants (all things bromeliad), fishing, canoeing, reading, spending time with his family, traveling and walking on the beach. His wealth of knowledge, patience, wisdom, and humble demeanor was endearing to all who knew him.
Jay is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Calandra, his oldest daughter, Katy Donnelly, son in-law, Kenneth Donnelly, granddaughter, Lillian Donnelly, youngest daughter, Jillian Ragia, son in-law Jovan Ragia, and grandson, Damien Ragia.
Jay peacefully passed away on September 18, 2020 among family after an 8 year battle with melanoma. In light of the COVID pandemic, no celebration of life service will be held. This is Jay’s wish. Those who wish to send their condolences may mail them to Calandra’s home at 713 Breckenridge Drive, Port Orange, FL 32127.
THE DASH
by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning… to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own, the cars… the house… the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged.
To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile… remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash?
Martin Luther King Jr Park in Alameda CA
Making friends
Jay and Calandra
Papa T and Lilly at the park
In his favorite chair
Always smiling
2020
2013
Jay and his loving wife of 44 years
NYC
Jay loved to go fishing and he always caught something.
Ronkonkoma, NY
Baby Lilly with Papa T
2005 Jay with his girls
2005 Albuquerque NM family vacation
Family cruise to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico and St. Thomas islands
Barber watercolor painting won at auction
Port Orange bromeliads
Family cruise vacation
Jay would certainly be able to tell you what plant this is!
Jay's favorite meal. His father was a lobstermen when he was a kid in Fishers Island, NY and gave him a taste for it.
Family photo 2016
Always taking pictures
Mr Show and Tell
Jay presenting an ananas pineapple plant during show and tell at the FECBS club meeting
FECBS Club Meeting Luau with close friend Rick Ryals
Easter 2015 (Left to right - Ken Donnelly, Katy Donnelly, Calandra Thurrott, Jovan Ragia, Jillian Ragia)