Jay Louis Lichtenstein, age 74, died on May 11, 2023, at his home in Salem, CT. Jay was born in New York City, NY, on January 8, 1949, and was adopted by Sylvia and Ben Lichtenstein of Plainfield, NJ, where he was raised along with sister Judy. Jay graduated from Plainfield High School and attended the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut where he met his first wife, Diana Swanson. Jay and Diana lived and traveled throughout the US, attended the original Woodstock music festival together in 1969 and were married in Nevada in 1970. Jay and Diana had four children together: Kirsten, Jesse, Colin, and Julia. Jay ran Barry’s shoes with his business partner Bob Torrice in Stamford, CT, taking after his parents, who owned several shoe stores in New Jersey. He lived in Stamford, CT, for many years, and in 1990 Jay remarried to Wendy Anderson and welcomed her son Michael as his own.
When the kids were young, New Year’s Eve was spent with sister Judy and her family, summers on Long Beach Island, NJ, watching races at Lyme Rock, grilling for the family, and later in life spent weekends with his grandkids. Jay moved to Salem, CT, in 2008, where he enjoyed the peaceful serenity of his retirement and was content living out his days. Jay is survived by Kirsten Silverstein, Jesse and Lexi Lichtenstein, Colin and Erin Lichtenstein, Julia and Robert Hada, Michael and Stephanie Hastings as well as 10 grandchildren: Jade and Quin Silverstein; Aviana, Jacinta, and Asiah Lichtenstein; Jack and Chip Lichtenstein; Tyler, Emily, and Brayden Hastings; his first wife, Diana Swanson and his second wife Wendy; as well as his brother-in-law Arnold Richter and nephew James Richter. Jay is predeceased by his parents Benjamin and Sylvia Lichtenstein as well as his sister, Judy Richter and nephew Matthew Richter. Jay was known for being the coolest guy anyone had ever met, for his love for his children and grandchildren, for his appreciation for excellent music, fine art, cool cars and the New York Yankees, and for completing the New Yorker crossword puzzle in pen every week. Though he was raised Jewish, he said that he did not abide by any religion in his adult years except for The Beatles’ song 'Imagine'. A celebration of life will be held by the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to the medical fund for Jay's granddaughter, Asiah Sunshine Lichtenstein linked here.
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