Jay E. Furman, 79, a resident of Evergreen Elm since 1981, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at the Bradford Manor.
Born March 31, 1944 in Chicago, IL, he was the son of the late Rosalee May Furman. Due to the untimely death of his mother, Jay was also cared for by his grandmother, Helen Furman and later by his aunt, Bertha Howard, residing in the Port Allegany area.
Jay attended school in Ulysses. Upon moving to Bradford, he was employed at Futures Rehabilitation Center, from 1981 until 2024, attending the Work Center Program performing assembly work along with participating in the Community Integration Program where he went to various locations within the community to socialize.
Jay had many friends and acquaintances in the Bradford area and could rarely go anywhere without someone recognizing him and saying hello. He was a participant in the UpBeat Program at Bradford Regional Medical Center and he attended many area churches. Prior to his passing, Jay was the oldest participating member of McKean County Special Olympics, having participated in softball, basketball, bowling, track and field and swimming. He was a member of the Kiwanis Aktion Club, where he was involved in community service projects and many social activities. Jay made his stage debut in “From the Heart – It’s Showtime,” with his harmonica solo receiving thunderous applause from the audience.
Jay took great pride in his appearance, always dressing in a dapper fashion. He was an avid fisherman and could tell fish stories with the best of them. Jay enjoyed sitting on his front porch, playing cards, board games and solitaire on his tablet. Along with his harmonica, Jay enjoyed playing his keyboard. He was an avid fan of the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Jay is survived by his special friend, Linda Porter, many cousins in the Bradford area and his Evergreen Elm and Futures’ families.
He was preceded in death by his mother, grandmother and aunt.
Friends will be received on Monday, March 18, 2024, from Noon to 1:00 PM, in the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Homes Inc., 372 East Main Street, where at 1:00 PM funeral services will be held with Rev. Jay Tennies, Pastor, of the Hill Memorial United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Grime Cemetery in Port Allegany.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be expressed at hollenbeckcahill.com.