Jay was born on December 14, 1958, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to the union of Frank and Anastasia Geld. When he was a young boy, Jay’s family moved to Key Largo, Florida. During Jay’s youth in Key Largo, he discovered he loved boating and fishing. As he grew older, he learned many trades and volunteered as a firefighter in Key Largo, thus discovering his passion for the fire service.

Jay later moved to Brevard County, Florida, where he started his formal firefighting career with Brevard County Fire Rescue. In 1988, he began his lifelong career with the City of Melbourne Fire Department. During his time there, he was heavily involved in the training division of new hires, as well as the continuous training for himself and his colleagues. Jay worked hard building various props used for firefighter safety at the Melbourne Fire Department Training Center and ran the driver development program. Jay made many lifelong friends during his time as a firefighter. He retired honorably as a lieutenant after 30 years of dedication and service to his community.

Jay’s passion and commitment in the education of firefighters and fire safety was not solely served at the fire department. During his career and after retirement, he provided 15+ years of education both on and off the firegrounds to the hardworking men and women at Florida Fire Training Institute and Eastern Florida State College.

Jay was an incredible example of strength, character, and compassion—a hero in every sense of the word, especially to his family. He took a genuine interest in the lives of everyone he met, bringing joy to those around him with his eternal optimism and charisma. Put simply, to know him was to love him. Jay loved golfing, fishing, endlessly tinkering with projects, helping others, and enjoying simple pleasures alongside his friends and family. He was the most loving and devoted husband and an amazing father and grandfather. He loved his family fiercely and, above all, his greatest joy in life came from watching his grandchildren grow. He will forever be deeply missed and always remembered in our hearts.

Left to cherish Jay’s memory are his wife, Jackie; children, JR (Nikki), Jason (Courtney), John, and Andy; and grandchildren, Rory, Brinn, Charlee, and Connor.

Jay’s legacy as a husband, father, grandfather, and firefighter will live on in the hearts of all who came to know him.