Jay Lawrence Switzer, age 85 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died on Friday, August 12, 2016 at the Hunterdon Medical Center, Raritan Township, NJ.

Born on April 27, 1931 in the Bronx, NY, son of the late Isaac “Ike” and Bertha “Betty” Keller Switzer, he had resided in Sarasota, FL for two years before moving back to Raritan Township three months ago, where he had lived for ten years prior. Additionally, he had formerly lived for many years in Westchester County, NY.

A salesman extraordinaire, Jay was the ultimate “people person.” He sold many varied products during his life and greatly enjoyed being an entrepreneur.

Jay grew up in the Bronx during the time of Joe DiMaggio and was an avid New York Yankees fan. He also enjoyed playing sports, participating in softball leagues well after most had hung up their glove.

A proud veteran of United States Marine Corps., Jay faithfully served his country during the Korean War. He enjoyed writing fiction and poetry and was currently working on a child’s book, “Burt the Bear.” It could be said that Jay was truly an artist, as he also loved to dance, act and perform. Maybe it was his “kid at heart” mentality or the fact that he was always a dreamer who didn’t want to grow up, but Jay was always the person that you could turn to for advice and support in any situation. He would do whatever he could to assist and always leave you smiling with his comedic personality. This is represented by the charitable works Jay did at the Hunterdon Medical Center and Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center, after they helped him survive his own bout with prostrate cancer.

The love of family and his genuine connections to people of all types is what most will remember Jay Lawrence Switzer for; and what most will miss so much about this larger than life man.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Sam Switzer and his former wife, May Levy.

Surviving are his children, Marcia Switzer and her partner, Michael Huelsenbeck of Manchester, NJ, Jeff Switzer and wife, Kerstin of Raritan Township, NJ, Ricky Switzer and wife, Silvia of Dunellen, NJ, and Samantha and husband, Alan Gilbert of Mt. Kisco, NY; his grandchildren, Ian, Eric and Mark Switzer and Sara and Carlee Gilbert; his former wife, Elaine Levine Switzer of East Brunswick, NJ; and many extended family and friends.

A Life Celebration ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. This will be preceded by a memorial gathering from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be private.

Everyone is invited to visit Jay’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to send a public or private message of condolence and to share stories and photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Jay’s name to the  Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Inc. (TAPS) by visiting “In Memory Of” at www.inmemoryof-memorial.org. or by making your check payable to “In Memory Of” and mailing to: In Memory Of, P.O. Box 5472, Charlottesville, VA 22905.