Jay Comeforo

Jay Comeforo died peacefully on June 15, 2010, at Sunrise Reminiscence Unit, Marlboro, NJ. Born on Staten Island, NY on August 3, 1922, the only child of Joseph Comeforo and Eugenia Occinio Comeforo, he grew up on Staten Island and was graduated with the New Dorp High School class of 1940. He attended Rutgers University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Ceramics Engineering in 1944. Two years later he received his PhD from the University of Illinois. In the 1970’s, Jay received a Master of Business Administration degree from Rider College (now Rider University).

In 1944, Jay met his future wife, Jean Raff, on a blind date in college, which was set up by one of Jay’s friends who also knew Jean from Metuchen High School. They were married one year later on July 11, 1945, in the Rutgers / Douglass Chapel. They enjoyed a strong and happy marriage, making a perfect team for 65 years until Jean’s recent death on March 28th of this year.

Jay is survived by his two daughters, Jean Comeforo of Media, PA, and June Curtis of San Carlos, CA (and her husband, Frank). Jay is also survived by his granddaughter, Lee Curtis Eaton of Manalapan, NJ (and her husband, Gary).

Jay was an accomplished tennis and baseball player, and golfer. According to family lore, Jay declined a golf scholarship to Princeton University. He also enjoyed the outdoors and canoeing on local rivers. He was an avid history buff, especially concerning the Civil War period. Jay and his wife Jean both belonged to several historical organizations, including the Union Township Historical Society, the Hunterdon County Bicentennial Committee, the Red Mill in Clinton, and the Holcombe Jimison Farmstead. Jay and Jean were also Historians for their Douglass and Rutgers reunions, and were involved in the initiation of the Rutgers Oral History Archives. Jay was inducted as a Loyal Son to Rutgers in May of 1999, and also served as a trustee for the Hunterdon Occupational Training Center, as a member of the Board of Directors of the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce, and member of the North Hunterdon Rotary Club of Rotary International. Jay was also a Fellow of the American Ceramics Society.

Working in the ceramic microwave tube and semiconductor industries for many years, Jay founded Consolidated Ceramics and Metalizing Corporation in Clinton, NJ in 1961. During this time period, Jay presented more than 20 publications and acquired 6 patents. After many successful years, and following the sale of the company to Brush Wellman Corporation, Jay retired from Consolidated Ceramics in 1977. Shortly thereafter, he formed a new venture called the Accuratus Ceramic Company. After six productive years, Jay sold Accuratus in 1983 and retired for a second (and final) time. Accuratus is still a thriving commercial entity in Phillipsburg, NJ.

Funeral services for Jay Comeforo were held at Holcombe Fisher Funeral Home in Flemington, NJ on Sunday, June 20th. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Greater New Jersey Chapter, 400 Morris Avenue Suite 251, Denville, NJ, 07834.