Jay Phillip Schreiber

Jay Phillip Schreiber passed away in Tucson, Arizona on April 6th at 6:46 pm surrounded by his loving family at his place of home. He was born in Hempstead, New York on April 4th, 1948. He was a beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, and friend. Jay graduated from Wagner College on Staten Island with a degree in Music Education. One summer day after graduation, he called up his friend, Dennis, from junior high school and asked what he was doing. Heading to the University of Arizona in Tucson was the reply, so Jay went along for the ride, and never left. He was a teacher for 32 years within the Sunnyside Unified School District. He was a teacher of Music, Science, and English at different points in his career. Jay was even a teacher of teachers who he mentored and coached. He enjoyed reading books to his students, such as Tuck Everlasting and Hatchet, which he claimed to have read aloud more than fifty times each.

Jay was a very athletic individual starting with being a gymnast in high school. He had other athletic pursuits including bodybuilding and cycling. He even took up running in his 60s completing many 5Ks, several half marathons, and one marathon. He accomplished so many personal goals but also motivated so many others to be involved in community events such as El Tour de Tucson. He ran a cycling club for many years to get young people involved in the sport. While involved in cycling, he became a referee for professional cycling events. Jay had to buy a BMW motorcycle because they were the type used by the motorefs. His Harley was too loud. One of his favorite events to work was the Tour of the Gila, a five-day stage race held in Silver City, New Mexico. Jay was awarded Arizona Referee of the Year in 2012 by USA Cycling.

Jay became a musician starting at age five with the classical guitar, but went with pop music when he became a teenager. He had many great times playing around New York City with his bands including the Saturday Knights and You, Me and Stupid. His band was even the band in residence for an entire summer at a hotel in the Hamptons. Once in Tucson, he played in and with many bands. It seems like every bar one passed with Jay in Tucson would evoke a "I remember playing there." The last band he played with was The Quarter.

Jay was also known for backyard gatherings which he hosted in his garden where he spent many weekends creating a beautiful peaceful Zen space with his magical green thumb and love for gardening. He was married to Becky Schmidt who he loved very deeply. They were married on November 1, 2017 at New Spirit Lutheran Church.

Jay is survived by his wife, Becky Schmidt; his daughter, Jessica (Jacob) Nevarez; his son, Nicholas Schreiber; his stepdaughters, Katelynn and Stellar Ludwiczak; his nine grandchildren, Anthony Bustamante, Jacob Bustamante, Ethan Nevarez, Miguel Nevarez, Julian Schreiber, Isabella Schreiber, Lukas Schreiber, Annika Schreiber, and Roman Schreiber; and two great grandchildren, Julian Bustamante and Amaya Bustamante. Jay was a legend in the community. He loved life and valued everyone around him. He will be forever loved and greatly missed.

Jay's funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 1st at New Spirit Lutheran Church with a luncheon to follow. follow. Any memorial gifts may be given to the church to support their various community ministries such as Blessings in a Backpack and the Homeless Blessings.