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Jay J. Hollister

 Jay J. Hollister, loving husband, father and friend, died with absolute courage on Jan. 10, 2013.

   He was born in Harvard, Ill., on Dec. 17, 1919, and raised in Chicago, Ill. He lived through hard times as a child. In 1942, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and while stationed in San Diego, in 1943, he met and married his wife, Pat.

   Jay sailed into combat in 1944 and was subsequently wounded on the island of Saipan in June 1944. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart. After a medical discharge in 1945, Jay made his home with his immediate family in Chula Vista, where he lived the majority of his adult life.

   Jay worked as a mail carrier for the USPS from 1945 to 1975. Jay was known as “the mailman with a bunch of kids and dogs following him everywhere he delivered mail.” He earned his barber license in 1950 and barbered hair part-time until the age of 91. After retiring from the post office, Jay worked for the County of San Diego as a school bus driver for mentally and physically challenged kids. The kids dearly loved him.

  Jay and his wife, Pat, moved from Chula Vista to Sonoma, in 1992.

  Jay was a natural-born athlete, excelling as a catcher in Minor League Baseball and Triple A Softball. His proudest baseball achievement was coaching and catching Don Larsen in the minor leagues before Don moved up to the New York Yankees where he pitched the “perfect” World Series game. Jay was instrumental in founding Little League and Pony League in Chula Vista.

  For many years, he volunteered his time coaching intramural sports for the boys and girls of St. Rose of Lima Parochial School in Chula Vista. He touched the lives and hearts of the children he coached, bringing out the best in everyone on the playing field. He was an avid bicyclist, golfer and bowled into his 90s. Jay was a fast walker and spoke in the fast Chicago cadence of his youth, honest and without guile. Wherever Jay went a smile and a friend was left in his wake. He was “one of a kind.”

  He was a generous provider for his family, a devout Catholic and his life exemplified the phrase, “Once a Marine always a Marine.”

  He was predeceased by his oldest son, J. Jay Hollister, in 1963. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Pat Hollister; and two children, Michael Hollister and Susan Hollister-Schell (John W. Schell).

  A memorial Mass will be said at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013, at St. Francis of Solano Catholic Church, 300 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA.

  A reception will follow at noon at the clubhouse in Pueblo Serena Mobile Home Park, 951 Fifth St. W.,
Sonoma.

  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice By The Bay, 190 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476; or to the St. Vincent De Paul Society, 5671 Redwood Drive, Rohnert Park, CA 94928.

  Inquiries can be made to Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service at 996-3655 or at www.duggansmissionchapel.com.

  “Semper Fi” Jay.

Duggan’s Mission Chapel.
Mission Cremation Service
525 W. Napa St.
Sonoma, CA 95476
707-996-3655