Jack Serrett Obituary

Jack "Jay" Serrett

Jack "Jay" Serrett of Reno passed away April 21, 2015 after a long battle with Lewy Body Disease. He was born in Bronx, New York on August 7, 1935. He worked as a purveyor and was active in the High Sierra Chef's Society; earning recognition as Purveyor of the Year (1983), Purveyor of the Month (Jan. 1990), Outstanding Contributions towards the 1991 Culinary Art Salon, Outstanding Service as a Board Member (1992-4), Professionalism Award (2010), and the Presidential Merit Award (2010). He founded Signoretti Sausage and Provision Company in 1990.

He was also an accomplished musician, playing Latin Percussion. He was instrumental in bringing musical groups to the Incline area, including Polish Jazz Band and Pearl, with many performances free to the public. He organized the Celebrate America Music Festival (1983), and actively worked with Incline Follies and July 4 Extravaganza at the Village Green at Lake Tahoe, as well as many music competitions and granted a music scholarship.

One of his favorite activities was swimming, and he completed the Trans Tahoe Swim in 1980 (3rd place).

He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Theressa; his son, Robert; daughters Nicole (Dummitt) and Jill (Knox); 2 step-children and 11 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 3pm on Sunday, April 26, at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, where he was a member.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Reno Gazette Journal and Lyon County News Leader on Apr. 26, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Jack Serrett

Sponsored by Nicole Dummitt.

6 Entries

Diane Sumner

April 28, 2015

Although I'm sure Jay's family is aware, Jay was also an avid swimmer at Sports West pool. Always laughing, always sharing a good joke, and always smiling. When Jay was around, we enjoyed life a little more. The beautifully written eulogy provided the background to his life, one which we didn't know, but certainly makes sense!
What a special pleasure it has been to know him. We will miss him . . . . . .
Diane Sumner

Nicole Dummitt

April 26, 2015

Jay's Eulogy
Thank you, everyone, for being here to today to celebrate the life of my father, Jay Serrett. It is comforting to share this loss with others and celebrate his life with people who knew and loved him. I am honored that Theressa, my fathers' wife and partner for the past 27 years, entrusted me with his eulogy.

Before I begin I feel compelled to share 2 personal admonitions with you: First, I am in no way a public speaker and I am incredibly nervous to stand before you today. And, second, I am an ugly, ugly crier. I will endeavor to get through this without breaking down. Brace yourselves... this may not be pretty but it will, however, be sincere.

Jay Serrett was a dichotomy in almost every way; a contradiction; a masterful pairing of man and boy until his last breath. He was a take charge, type-A, larger than life man who depended on the women in his life to buoy his spirit and anchor his soul. Those of us who knew him best and loved him most will tell you how wonderfully maddening the man could be. Indeed, some of the things that were the most challenging about him where also the things that made him so great. His needs were simple: he wanted everything and often got it.

Many of you know my father was an avid swimmer who often logged a mile or more a day, at least 5 days a week. I have many childhood memories by the pool in Southern California and later at Lake Tahoe. The most vivid of them are of him basking in the sun, swathed in his beloved Ban de Soleil tanning lotion with one of those tri-folding silver sun reflectors from the 70's. He absolutely loved sunning himself. It's a wonder he never got skin cancer. Later in life it was the pool that drew my dad and his beloved Theressa together.

The man loved to look good. I'm sure that's at least part of what drew him to the clothing industry in New York City. Well, that and the beautiful ladies. In the early 60's my father met and married one such beautiful lady, my mother, Helen, and the two opened a successful chain of women's clothing stores in California. He grew tired of the rat race in LA so they closed the business and retired to Incline Village.

In retirement he quickly became involved in the community. In the early 80's he became President of the North Lake Tahoe Symphony Association and poured himself into bringing music one of his greatest passions to the community. He became involved in local politics and even coached me for a few seasons of the Peppermint Patty Softball league. Not one for sitting still, he did what any good Jew would do: he opened a sausage company. He became as passionate about the food industry as he had been for the garment industry and, as a result, made many dear friends along the way.

He was a fierce negotiator and loved getting a good deal. He no doubt gave many of us in this room a run for our money with his lethal combination of charm and relentlessness. The world didn't always see things Jay Serrett's way but he made no bones about the fact that it was the world's problem, not his. Like many of us, he wanted what he wanted when he wanted it.

My father had a generous spirit (and, at times, a tight wallet) but he possessed a limitless capacity to make friends of strangers. He treated everyone like family and was quick with a joke and a compliment. He and my mother loved entertaining. As a child it was commonplace for us kids to fall asleep to the blaring sound of trumpets, singing and raucous laughter and the chatter of many languages into the wee hours. He loved being the center of attention, often telling jokes, doing impressions, and telling wildly funny and animated stories. His laugh was nothing less than intoxicating.

Jay Serrett was, to me and many others, devastatingly handsome. People were drawn to him and his magnetic personality. He had swagger. His soulful brown eyes were mesmerizing whether they were casting that charming glint or that steely hot-tempered Italian glare. Whether we like to admit it or not, my sister Jill and I inherited our own versions of it. Our significant others will no doubt corroborate that unsettling fact. His temperament seemed to soften with age and as his disease progressed some of the best parts of himself - his tenderness, his wide smile, his interest in others - took on an even more prominent role in his day-to-day.

I love that my father never seemed to see himself as disabled. It wasn't until I started working with people with disabilities that I realized my dad had been disabled since childhood when he broke his hip playing football. It was his impatience with the healing process and his love of the game that drove him prematurely out into the streets of NY to play with his friends and never heal properly resulting in his limp. I love that it never stopped him from being larger than life. It may have even inspired it.

Now that he has left us, I'll share with you his long-running, scandalous penchant for stealing small stashes of artificial sweetener from restaurants far and wide. I have no doubt the Profit and Loss statements of casinos and diners throughout Northern Nevada will be nearer to the black now that my dear father is gone.

My sister, Jill, my brother, Bob, and I have talked a lot over the years about the influence our father has had in our lives. And though there have been difficult times, we each appreciate so many core things about ourselves that he gave us. We share his love of music and people of all kinds. We laugh deeply and eagerly listen to others' lives and lessons. We are joyous and grateful and passionate about life just like he was. If I leave this earth with as many good memories as he no doubt did, I will have lived life fully.

Thank you Theressa for loving my father and caring for him especially in these last years of his illness. Thank you all for loving my father as I do, complexities and all, and for celebrating him with me today.

Tony Carmack

April 26, 2015

Sounds like his daughter Nic very interesting & àlways a pleasure to be around!

Terre Brothers Johnson

April 26, 2015

Nicole, I am so sorry for the loss of your father. Our love to you and your family. Terre & Tim Johnson, Chloe and Tara

Wendy Knorr

April 26, 2015

I will remember him fondly! Peace and blessings to you and your family Theressa.

Joe Eidem

April 26, 2015

Jay was a Great Friend personally and a Fantastic supporter to the Culinary Arts of Northern Nevada. Jay never said no to helping raising money for the chapter or helping at all events. He was such a friendly person always a kind word and would always encourage everyone to succeed. Thank you Jay for all you have done for everyone that had the honor to meet you. God Bless and may you Rest in Peace.

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