Bernard "Jay" Jablonski

Bernard “Jay” Jablonski passed away peacefully on Monday, August 2, 2021, at his Bayonne residence with his loving family by his side.

Jay was born in Bayonne to the late Bernard and Agnes Jablonski and was a lifelong resident.

A graduate of Bayonne Technical High School, Jay was employed by Public Service Electric & Gas Company and worked as a Helper, Line Foreman, Troubleman and Division Line Supervisor with a work force of 200 employees.  He received a commendation from the Bayonne MOT for work done on outside electrical installations.

He was also a funeral assistant for many funeral homes in the area, serving as a pallbearer and doorperson.

Jay proudly served the nation as a member of the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict as Damage Control 3rd Class on the USS Laws DD58 while in Korea.  He was awarded the Korean Service Ribbon (2 Stars), the United Nation’s Service Medal, the China Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the Distinguished Service Medal.  He is a Charter member of the Hudson County Korean Veterans.  He was instrumental in erecting the Korean Monument for deceased members in Jersey City.  He is also a life member of Mackenzie Post.

Jay ran for 2nd Ward Council Member with Dennis Collins and served as Trustee of the Bayonne Cultural Center and Library for 20 years.  He also served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA and is a member of the Bayonne Historical Society.

Jay was a Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Star of the Sea Council 371 and instituted the committee for distribution of food during Thanksgiving.  He is a member of the Fourth Degree Assembly 675 Knights of Columbus and participated in charitable work in the City of Bayonne.  He was a charter member and Grand Commander of El Jarrow Caravan #154, which helped the Special Education Program in Bayonne to run parties for their benefit.  Jay was a major part of these parties donning the garb of Clown for the entertainment of this group.

He was an avid fisherman and the Commodore of the Atlas Yacht Club for three years. 

Jay was a member of St. Henry’s Parish, serving as a Trustee for 17 years.  He chaired many events for the Parish, including the Carnival, Spaghetti dinners and Soup dinners.  Jay also served as Cub Master for Pack 39 in the Parish.  He was presently a Eucharistic Minister and Usher for the Parish.

Jay was the beloved and devoted husband of Barbara (nee: Papp) for 65 years; the loving father of the late Sgt. First Class Douglas A. Jablonski and his wife, Terri Jablonski, Kenneth Jablonski, and his wife, Liping Shen, Susanne Biancamano, and her husband, James, and the late Lori Jean Weaver; the cherished grandfather of Jason Jablonski, and his wife, Sara, Jessica Swierczek, and her husband, Karl,  Meredith Hilinsky, and her husband, Brian, Alyssa O’Keefe, and her husband, Patrick,  Andrea Mackessy and her husband, Patrick,  James Bernard Weaver, and his wife, Kara, Christopher Jablonski, Emily Wietsmarchen, and her husband, Erich, Angelica Janicki, and her husband, David, Kay Jay Jablonski, and Amelia, Lyra and David Biancamano.  He is survived by fourteen, soon to be sixteen, great grandchildren: Alexa Rose, Mia Jade and Troy Jablonski, Brielle Hilinsky, Jakob Douglas and Joshua Swierczek, James Bernard, Jr., Travis and Charlie Jean Weaver, Theodore Patrick and Nathaniel Mackessy, Cora, and Patrick O’Keefe, and Oliver Jay Wietsmarchen.

He is also survived by his son-in-law, James Weaver, and his wife, Barbara; his sister-in-law, Dolores Paruta; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Jay was predeceased by his cherished great granddaughter, Halley Biancamano; and his dear siblings, John (Jack) Jay, Edna Nadolny and Dorothy Lesky. 

Jay was a model citizen who devoted his life to his family and to making Bayonne and this world a better place in every way possible by his actions and deeds.

The funeral will be conducted by Bayonne Memorial Home, Inc. on Saturday, August 7, 2021.  A funeral Mass will be held at the Church of St. Henry at 10:45 a.m.  A private cremation will follow.  A visitation with masks preferred will take place at St. Henry’s on Friday, August 6, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Please omit flowers.  Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

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