August 24, 1947 - December 30, 2023
In loving memory ~
Jay was born in Vancouver, B.C. on August 24, 1947, to Freddie and Marita Katz (nee Cojocar). He grew up in Vancouver, attended Sir Winston Churchill High School, and later was an active participant in the tumultuous politics of the 1960s.
He attended UBC for one year studying Cantonese and Japanese languages, and then spent a year at the University of Alaska. After that, he spent some time in Vanderhoof, B.C., then lived for several years in Prince Rupert, B.C.
He was a gifted writer, poet, and photographer and worked as a journalist and photojournalist in Prince Rupert and in Vancouver, a career which allowed him to indulge his love of travel. He especially enjoyed his trips to Mexico, China and Japan. He then spent several happy years on Cortes Island, B.C. He later retired to Comox, B.C., where he met his beloved friend Helene, who predeceased him. He died in Comox on December 30, 2023, of natural causes following a long illness.
Jay was a dedicated correspondent, and a lover of films, books, music and animals. His many friends and relatives knew him as a talented, witty and gentle person with a fine mind and a quirky sense of humour.
He is survived by his sister Marci Katz, his niece Rachel Ditor (Ken Finkelstein), nephew David Ditor, David's daughter Mila, and first cousins Jacqueline Simkin, Diane Simkin (Steven Demeter), Roberta Krass (Aron Gutman), as well as many second cousins in Canada and the US. He was predeceased by (maternal) half-brother Rob Richards, and first cousin Melvin Krass. He will be missed.
Jay had many friends, notably co-writer (and mom to Gizmo) Jane Harris (deceased). He will be remembered fondly by Jane's sister Ann Harris, and by his many friends in the Mariner community in Comox.
As Jay wished, he will be cremated with as little ceremony as possible. His ashes will be spread on the ocean at Kye Bay, Comox, where he spent many happy hours looking out at the water with Helene.
now look at the sky
blue to brown to grey and gone
but I hear a bird
...Haiku by Jay Cates
