Jeffrey Kaye

Jeffrey Kaye, 60, beloved husband, father, friend, teacher and mentor, lost his most recent battle of 14 months with cancer. Jeff was first diagnosed with throat cancer in spring of 2013. Secondary cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, was diagnosed in Aug. 2016. He faced each battle with courage, wisdom and humor. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Maryellen, his children, Holland and Andrew, his dog Fenway and cat Simba. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Samuel and Ida Kaye of Levittown, NY and his brother, Steve of Staten Island NY. Jeff loved his family and adored his kids. He and Maryellen were very active in the Johnson Elementary School PTO, routinely offering cooking lessons and dinners as fundraisers. Watching Holland and Andrew pursue their interests and passions gave him much joy. He would beam with pride watching Holland skate or Andrew on the football field. He treasured the time with Holland when they sang together in the local community chorale group, Sound and Spirit. He was an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan and was just learning to appreciate the Celtics, as Andrew was sharing his passion for basket ball with him. Jeffs life was all about his family and friends, food, music and singing. But more importantly, Jeff, or Chef Jeff to many, was a connector. He brought together people from the many life circles that were significant to him. Jeffs inherent optimism, cheerful directness and boundless ability to laugh made every room richer for his presence. And if he happen to have prepared some tasty treat, so much the better. Jeff left the printing industry to pursue his passion for food and cooking. His start was in Portland, ME at the Back Bay Grill. After returning to the Boston area, he worked in numerous restaurants including Michaelas, The Tuscan Grill, Arturos, the Harborside Inn, Watch City Brewing Co., and the Met Bar and Grill. He was most proud of the 9 years he was Chef / Owner of Fava in Needham. His face would light up as watched his guests enjoy the food he and his culinary team prepared. Jeffs next career move was to teach. He loved it, perhaps even more than cooking. He taught classes at Sur La Table in Natick and was a chef instructor at the former Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Boston. At Le Cordon Bleu, he was more than a teacher; he was a mentor. While at LCB, Jeff earned the Executive Chef certification from the American Culinary Federation. Jeffs life was cut too short but by every measure that counts | a loving family, deep and lasting friendships, an amazing impact on those with whom he worked and on the community in which he livedit was a life very well lived. A memorial service for Jeff Kaye will be held, Saturday, Oct 28th at 10am at the Houghton Chapel at Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, Wellesley, MA. Reception to follow. Visitor parking is available in the Founders Lot, adjacent to the Chapel. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the family at www.youcaring.com/ kayestrong or Dr. David Avigans Research Fund at BIDMC at www.bidmc.org/giving.