In Remembrance

In the final hour of Friday, September 29th, 2023, Dr. Jay Leslie Parker passed away peacefully at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, MN.  Born March 21, 1950, he was 73 ½ years old.

Jay, Father of 3 daughters and Grandfather of 7 grandchildren, was a selfless, honorable, generous, respected, loving, and loved man.  He met his wife Joyce (Hammer) in high school in Long Island, NY in 1967, and after a 5-year relationship that carried into their college years, they wed in August of 1972 and celebrated their 51st Anniversary this year.  After graduating from SUNY Albany, Jay attended medical school at Des Moines University in Iowa and traveled the Midwest for his training after graduation. His Residency and Fellowship programs took him to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and he was hired by Duluth Clinic (now Essentia Health) in 1981.  Jay practiced as an Allergy and Immunology Specialist for 35 years, always putting the health and wellbeing of his patients first. He would often take calls from patients in need while involved with other family or personal events and activities.  Keeping people that he cared about safe, happy, and healthy was truly his greatest gift.

Upon retirement, Jay and Joyce would snowbird to Florida in the winter to escape Minnesota’s frigid weather. Jay had many interests beyond his work as a physician.  He was an active service and former board member of Rotary Club #25.  The family were members of the Kitchi Gammi and Northland Country Clubs, where Jay enjoyed playing golf.  He was also the director of the girls’ youth softball league.  The family owned a lake cabin (which Jay sometimes called a “work farm”) to enjoy nature, boating, and watersports during the mild-weather seasons in Minnesota.  They also created many spring break memories in Sanibel Island, Florida throughout the years.

Jay was a fan of the arts, theater, and music. He could be caught listening to everything from Classical music at the Symphony to Classic Rock in the car, perhaps on the way to get ice cream in the middle of January in Duluth, with his daughters bundled up in their snow gear, because the ride home meant that the sunroof and windows had to be wide open “so that the ice cream wouldn’t melt.”  Jay was also a sports fan, whether involving his daughters or grandkids and their events, or the UMD Bulldog hockey team, or a Saturday watching college football.

Above all, Jay was a revered man, who always put others first. His compassion for his patients, his care for his family and his desire for them to live and grow peacefully and healthy, and his support of the people that meant most to him really defined who he was as human, and he was one of the best.

Jay was preceded in death by his sister Deborah Blum, mother Frances Greenwald-Frank, and father Hyman Parker.   He is survived by his brother Neil Parker, wife Joyce Parker, daughter Laurie Jochmann, granddaughters Alexa Jochmann and Brooke Jochmann, grandson Andrew Jochmann; daughter Susie Bronk (Pat) grandson Parker Bronk and granddaughter Kenley Bronk; daughter Andrea Wery (Blake), grandson Kevin Wery and granddaughter Morgan Wery.

There will be a celebration of life open house for Jay, on Thursday Oct 19th, from 4:00-7:00pm, at Pier B Resort – Ballroom West.  800 W. Railroad Street, Duluth, MN 55802.

Solvay Hospice House was instrumental in assuring Jay’s comfort while he was in their care.  The family would like to suggest donations in Jay’s name to Solvay Hospice House, in lieu of flowers or other gifts.  Donations can be made by sending a check to Miller-Dwan Foundation, 502 E 2nd St, Duluth, MN 55805. In the memo line, write “Solvay – Dr. Jay L. Parker” OR via website: mdfoundation.org.  Follow the drop-down prompts to Select the Designation to Solvay, mark that it is a Tribute gift “in memory” or “honor of”, then type in Dr. Jay L. Parker. Also, check the box to send an acknowledgment of the gift to a loved one.