Jay John Charles Ginter

1947 - 2011

Jay John Charles Ginter, 63, died on March 23, 2011, due to complications from mantle cell lymphoma, a blood cancer he had battled for nearly four years. Jay was born Sept. 20, 1947, in Pawtucket, R.I. to John Emil Ginter and Margaret Elizabeth Mack Ginter. His family soon moved to Broadalbin, N.Y., where he grew up.

Jay attended high school at the Admiral Farragut Academy in Tom's River, N.J. He graduated from Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa. in 1970 with a degree in biology, earned a master's degree in marine environmental sciences at the State University of New York at Stonybrook and continued his graduate work at the University of Washington's Institute for Marine Studies. He was instrumental in organizing the first national conference on limited entry as a tool in fisheries management.

During Jay's 30-year career with the National Marine Fisheries Service, he was recognized as an expert on "limited entry," programs that limit participation in commercial fisheries to conserve fish stocks and preserve fishing opportunities. Jay was best known for his work on developing the Individual Fishing Quota Program for Alaskan Pacific halibut and sablefish fisheries, which turned a dangerous race-for-fish into a safer, more economically rational, and environmentally sound fishing business. He always said "fisheries management was about managing people; the fish got along quite well by themselves."

Jay was an active volunteer within the Juneau community and Northern Light United Church, where he enjoyed singing in the choir. Jay played percussion with the Juneau Symphony and enjoyed marching with the Juneau Marching Band. Jay served on the board of the Alaska Youth Choir and was a trustee for Juneau Youth Sailing. Some of his happiest times in recent years were sailing on his J32 sailboat, the S/V Sarah Jane. He enjoyed racing but most enjoyed just being out on the water.

Jay is survived by his wife of 29 years Jane McMillan Ginter, children Jason and Sarah, father John Ginter, sister Carolyn (David) Dalzell, sister-in-law Janice (Paul) Zieke, nephew Wil (Susie) Dalzell, niece Elizabeth (John) Selvey, and uncle Ken and aunt Flo Ginter. His mother, Margaret Ginter, predeceased him.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Northern Light United Church, 400 W. 11th St.

The family can be contacted at 115 Troy Ave., Juneau AK 99801-1452 or at www.caringbridge.org/visit/jayginter.

Memorial contributions may be made to Juneau Youth Sailing; http://www.juneauyouthsailing.org/index_donate.html, P.O. Box 21286, Juneau, AK 99802-1286.

The University of Washington has created the Jay Ginter Memorial Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made online at http://bit.ly/eCZFP8 or mailed to the UW Foundation/Jay Ginter Memorial Scholarship Fund, UW School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, College of the Environment, 3707 Brooklyn Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98105-6715.