Conesus/Clarence: January 27, 2018 at age 55. Survived by parents Richard and Barbara S. Nowakowski; siblings; Jeffrey (Janet) of LA, JoAnn (Walter) Golden of CO, and John (Diane) of OK; 8 nieces & nephews, 1 grand niece & 1 grand nephew. Also survived by several cousins and many friends at the Calspan Corporation.
Jay graduated from Livonia Central School in 1980 and attended the University of Buffalo graduating with a Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1985. He was employed for 33 years at Calspan Corp as the Technical Director of Transonic Wind Tunnel.
Friends may call on Friday, February 2nd, from 4-6pm at (NOTE LOCATION) St. Matthew Catholic Church, 6591 Richmond Mills Road (Rte 20A), Livonia, NY where Jay’s Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, at 10:30am. Burial will follow at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Livonia, NY. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Conesus or Livonia Fire Departments or the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, 636 Morris Turnpike, Suite 3A, Short Hills, NJ 07078. To send a condolence or share a memory please visit: www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jay for several years and its taken me a while to be able to come to terms with the loss of such a great friend. There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t think of him and how much we miss everything he meant to our industry and company. I still can’t believe that we won’t see him here again with his cheshire cat grin, always first one in and last one out – the one customers and employees came to first with questions. He was and is an awesome engineer and friend. I’ll never forget one Friday night when our entire team was working late and we were blasting music to help us get through the work. I was taking requests from everyone for what to play and when it came to Jay’s turn, he chose the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I’ll never forget seeing him “dancin” to the music late that Friday night as we all achieved the impossible together. He will be missed.
I am truly saddened to read of Jay’s death. My prayers are with the whole family.
I am so sorry to hear of your Son’s passing. My deepest condolences go out to you and your family.
I am so sorry to hear of Jay’s passing. He was my neighbor and friend while we lived in Clarence. What a great guy! Always had that great sarcastic wit that made us laugh. Whether it was shoveling together, dragging things out for garbage day or just drinking a beer, Jay was always in a cheerful mood. Praying that he is running with God all over heaven.
We are so sorry to hear about Jay’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God Bless.
Barb and Rick we are so sorry to hear of your sons passing .our sincerest condolences .our prayers go out to you we aren’t supposed to bury our children before us. You are in our thoughts and prayers Chet and Peggy (Cicero) Barton.
Barb, Rick and family, I was very sorry to hear about Jay’s passing. I always enjoyed stories of how he was doing and succeeding over the years. My prayers are with you at this time.
Carol Chapman-Ewert
Hello Barb and Rick, I don’t know if you remember me but my first babysitting job was for Jeffrey. I am so sorry for your loss.
I am very sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless.
My sincerest condolences to your family. While I haven’t seen Jay since high school, I remember him as a kind and positive person.
Sending healing thoughts to you all.
Jay was one of the most talented engineers I have ever had the privilege to work with. He had such a depth and breadth of knowledge and he was always a great guy to be around. Cool headed, never seen him angry and always with a sharp wit. He brought a lot of joy to the wind tunnel and will be deeply missed.
I am heartbroken to hear about Jay’s passing. He was such a great guy who had an incredible sense of humor and amazing strength. I feel Blessed to have had our paths cross in this life. My prayers and thoughts go out to his sweet family.
Richard and Barb I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your son Jay . My thoughts and prayers go out to you .both. God Bless !
I was so very sorry to learn of Jay’s passing. I remember his sense of humor when I would visit with his family in our younger days. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. and Mrs. Nowakowski, John, Jeff, and JoAnn.
I worked with Jay for over a decade. He always met us with a smile and a joke despite his own personal ailments. He was truley one of the most positive influences in my life, One of the smartest and strongest men I have met in my entire life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. God Bless.
We are so sorry to hear that Jay is no longer with us – but in a better place.
He will be missed by many.
Jay you will never be forgotten you were a very special person in the Wind Tunnel, and I hope the Wind Tunnel truly come’s to the relationship of what they just lost. There isn’t a person employed in the the whole company that could that fill your shoes. He was. the go-to person with every wind tunnel test that came through those door’s. Bless your family!
So sorry to hear this. My prayers go out you all.
Jay was an outstanding engineer and a great person. He always had a personality that would light up any room and always had a wonderful outlook on life no matter what challenges were presented. It was a privilege to work with Jay and an honor to know him in life. The world is a lesser place without him – God Speed my friend.
So very sorry to learn of Jay’s passing. What an amazing man!!! I will never forget the many smiles he brought to my face and everyone else he was near. Very unique, intelligent guy with infectious humor!! Sending love, long distance hugs and prayers to the very special Nowakowski family!!!!
I will always remember Jay during our Jazz Ensemble days. He was so fun and talented. I am so sorry to hear of his passing and please know that my thoughts and prayers are with his amazing family during this difficult time. Love to all.
Kathy Rohr Taylor
So sorry to hear the news about Jay’s passing. My sincere condolences to everyone. May God bless you and comfort you all.
I’m Just heartbroken. A quick visit with Jay always lifted my mood . Once I was sort of complaining about another unnamed employee to him. He listened intently, nodding his head in support of my feelings. And I said something about how engineers were just that type of personality to bug me because they knew that they could. Then I stopped – and said to him , Jay ….YOU’RE an engineer aren’t you ? And he said “I’m sorry ” – just like that ! Like he was kidding in his witty sincere way and that he got me to stop a minute and then we were both
smiling . I will remember him always . My deepest condolences to his family . My sincere prayers are with you .
Jay worked for us while in high school, was a fine young man and great example to all of his fellow team members. His sense of humor was outstanding and his commitment to getting the job done was second to none. I can remember Jay even coming to my home to help me with tasks, just a pleasure to be around. He was on top of my list for sure. Prayers coming your way.
I worked with Jay as secretary in TWT when he first started at Calspan. I called him Clark Kent! He was always willing to help in any way! He always has a sly smile, or that look that made you smile or laugh! And there were many laughs! Rip Jay cause you are flying high now!
My heart goes out to the entire Knowakowski family. Dick & Barb, you were wonderful parents and gifted the world with a lovely family. Jay was blessed to be a part of that family. Rest assured that he is now happy in heaven, smiling down at all of you. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sad to hear that such a great guy has passed. I had the pleasure of working with Jay for almost 10 years – he was a great teacher, and always had a knack for making me laugh with a quick joke. He will be missed.
My remembrance is Jay’s smile and his perceverence. Damn it. So many lives he has benefitted, So many that will miss him. Jay, Rest In Peace. Amen.
Greg Hetzler
Weddington, N. C.
I am so sorry to hear of Jay’s passing. I had hoped to make it to the services to share in remembering Jay, but please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. – Nancy Brady