Jay A. Folkes of Pipersville passed away on June 22 at his home. He was 95 years old. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Sara G. Folkes.
Born in Doylestown, he was the son of Arthur S. Folkes and Frances Price Binder.
Jay graduated from Doylestown High School in 1945 and immediately joined the United States Merchant Marine. Over the following two years he served on multiple ships in both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.
After completing his service, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University. He worked in Washington DC briefly before beginning a long career in pharmaceutical advertising and marketing. He spent 30 years at Merck beginning as a copy writer in West Point and ending as Executive Director of Marketing Communication in Rahway NJ. He went on to work as the Managing Director of International Business Development at VICOM/FCB.
While he traveled extensively for work and enjoyed frequent trips with Sara, he was happiest at the home he and Sara bought in 1952 in Tinicum Township and where he lived until his death. He was a long-time member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Doylestown where he both served on the Vestry and acted as Rector’s Warden for several years. He enjoyed music and, as a young man, he played the drums in a local band. He was an avid reader and played tennis and bridge throughout his adult life.
Jay is survived by his stepdaughter, Joan Seipp (David) of Point Pleasant; his stepson, Lewis Gardner (Lois) of Galeton; his daughter Suzanne Day (Peter) of Houston; and his daughter-in-law Laura Folkes of Doylestown. He has five grandchildren: Michael Lowry (Margot Spring), Dawn Janney (Sean), Lewis Gardner (Melissa), Lee Gardner (Kristin), and Levi Gardner (Misty) and six great grandchildren. In addition to his family, Jay is survived by three devoted caregivers, Monica Spina, Caroline Oliver, and Katie Koder who became an extension of his family over the past eight years. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark Folkes.
Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral service at 12 p.m., Thursday June 29, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 84 East Oakland Avenue, Doylestown. The interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jay’s name may be made to: Bucks County Beautiful, 85 E. State Street, Doylestown, PA 18901, Bucks County SPCA, PO Box 277, Lahaska, PA 18931 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.