Jay Ricke Obituary
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Ron Simik
July 24, 2025
Jay was a very good friend who helped me when I president at the Westmont Post Office. He always took my call when I needed help with a grievance! Eventually I was able to convince our members to merge with Br. 825! Jay entrusted me and appointed me as trustee for Br. 825. Jay worked hard for union members. Always went to bat and was successful at what he did! We always had a great time going to conventions and fundraisers! I will truly miss you Jay and I will always have great memories of you! You left too soon but God had plans for you in heaven! Rest In peace my brother
Lillie and Kayla Paxson
July 18, 2025
Kayla and I are so sad that Jay has passed away. He was a wonderful man. He was always there when we needed him. Some of John´s best times were spent on the golf course with Jay and Abel. They always had great times together. Sometimes they even let me tag along. I cherish those memories. RIP Jay. You will definitely be missed.
Tom Blecker
July 15, 2025
Branch 4016 members, like myself, have fond memories of times shared with Jay, especially at union fundraisers and outings for both of our branches supporting letter carriers and their selected charities. We always knew we could count on Jay to go to a microphone at a convention to "set the record straight". Deepest sympathy to Jay's family. He will be missed by many!
Juanita morella
July 15, 2025
So sorry for your loss..Jay was a good guy..he always was kind and did a great job....
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Terese Klinger
July 6, 2025
I met Jay many years ago when I transferred to the Elmhurst PO from Phoenix. Lost track of him after I left Elmhurst and transferred to Carol Stream. When I moved to my townhouse in 2023, lo and behold, guess who our landscaper was! It was nice to reconnect and reminisce about PO days. He really took care of us over here on Fellows Ct and we will miss him and his talent immensely. RIP Jay.
James Sander
June 30, 2025
Jay was a great guy. I worked for the P.O. for 40 years also. I remember the great P.O. softball tournaments he would run and compete in. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
Noel Rabino
June 30, 2025
RIP Jay. I remember Jay with all his hard work as a union president during my time as a city mail carrier for the Bloomingdale post ofc. He will be missed.
Tenisha Hart
June 29, 2025
So sorry to hear this. I remember when Jay had my back on a union situation when I thought I stood alone. He will be missed.
Abel Ayala
June 29, 2025
Don´t know where to begin. I´ve know Jay for over 50 years. I remember training him on his first day that he was hired at the Post office in Bensenville. From there we became great friends. We took many trips golfing, rooming together at conventions and even started our landscaping business together. He was always there for me and I was always there for him. His family became my family and my family became his family. I moved to Texas 6 years ago but I continued to come back to visit him and my other friends and he would come to Texas and stay with me so we could continue golfing . I will truly miss him and will always have many memories to remember him. My deepest sympathy for his family from my family.
Keene
June 29, 2025
So sorry to hear about Jay's passing. So lucky to have him as president of local 825 for so many years. He helped so many of us through some rough times. God bless.
Betty Smith
June 28, 2025
Deepest condolences to Jay´s family and friends. My husband, Eric worked with Jay for many years. I´m sorry to hear of your loss.
Christie Sergo
June 28, 2025
I knew Jay through my brother, ERIC SMITH, who served with Jay as Executive Vice President of Branch 825. Jay delivered a heart warming eulogy at Eric´s funeral and I can only imagine them together joking, arguing and sharing stories in Heaven. Rest in peace, Jay
A.Maldonado
June 28, 2025
RIParadise Jay i will miss delivering your mail and our daily conversation.
Michael Rohloff
June 27, 2025
I loved this guy. I spent the majority of my career wanting to be in his union branch. I finally did and I knew he and the union truly had my back.
Steve Hansen
June 27, 2025
A great leader and a good man. He led our branch for many years and built it into the second largest branch in the state
Colette Treonis
June 27, 2025
Jay was a lot of fun and worked so hard for Letter Carriers. He will be missed. He is up with my late husband Rich Treonis and organizing heaven.
Daryl miller
June 27, 2025
Jay u were a great leader and friend to countless numbers of letter carriers and a personal friend.you made my time as steward for bloomingdale mu h easier during my 35 years as steward .you will be missed.DARYL MILLER GOD KEEP YOU MY FRIEND.
Bill Hahn
June 27, 2025
I worked with Jay at Branch 825 for over 40 years and will miss him. He fought for the members against all who mistreated them. To his Family, my deepest condolences.
Carrie K
June 27, 2025
Where do I begin? The memories I have of Jay are both good and not so good. Jay always did what he had to do to make the USPS better. I always understood that about Jay and he understood me as well. He did what was right. He was strong and powerful and so full of knowledge that no one could ever put anything past him. He was well respected and deep down he was loved and appreciated by all the members that he represented and most importantly, grateful.
I am really going to miss him. Thousands of us are going to miss him!!!
Rest in peace Jay...memory eternal
Bruce M. Goodman
June 27, 2025
I worked beside Jay as an officer of the union for over half of my 74 years on this planet. He was the best union advocate around. He stood by me in some of the most brutal union battles I´ve ever faced. There is no one I´d rather have at my side in battle. He was the most literate man I knew. Jay took the torch from John Grace and not only made him proud but grew Branch 825 into several times its original size enabling us to have several full time officers. Serving with Jay has been an honor and an education. We lost an amazing advocate respected throughout the country. I am glad I saw Jay at his best buddies birthday just a couple weeks ago having a great time. Thanks Jay for all you mean to me and to all of us in Branch 825. Kim, Jamie, Justin and Jason, I´m sorry for your loss. Jay will always be remembered for the trail he left. I´ll miss him.
Bruce M. Goodman
Julie Williams
June 27, 2025
Wow. We already feel the void in our neighborhood and in our lives' not having Jay right outside our backdoors. He was compassionate, kind, lighthearted. He was always a hard worker and willing to help anyone. I always knew when spring was coming, Jay would be in his garage, working on his landscaping equipment. He worked with such enthusiasm and excitement while listening to his favorite songs.
I am forever grateful for his friendship and kindness. I will always be grateful for how he cared about and helped my parents during their time at the Willows. Jay was an example to all of us. He led with his heart and cared so much about people and doing the right thing. I'm so sorry for your loss Jamie, Jason and Justin. He loved his family and friends dearly.
Ruth (Nord, Marciniak) Macdonald
June 26, 2025
Jay was a man of truth. Had a crazy sense of humor. John and him fought for countless carriers, including this union steward from Streamwood, Hanover Park,Bartlett& later to Crystal Lake. He trained me to be a more knowledgeable steward and made sure I got that Thursday off, in order to serve carriers with questions and benefits about union insurance. He multitasked as a pro! He was a family man, a carrier and a friend to all. Condolences to his family and friends. He is sorely missed. God bless you during this most difficult time. I´m honored to have known him.
Jeff Sniegowski
June 26, 2025
I am heartbroken at the loss of my dear friend, and will cherish every memory with him. I'll have a tendency to look for him, every time I step onto the golf course, and it won't be the same . He had a heart of gold, and it was impossible to be in a bad mood while around him. The sound of his laughter will always be in my ears, and I'll draw upon it often, when I need uplifting. He will be terribly missed. My condolences to his dear family.
Norma fielder
June 26, 2025
Jay was a great man and will be missed by all that knew him myself included all that knew him would certainly agree with me I am sorry to hear of this too late as I would certainly have attended the funeral
Colleen Baleski
June 26, 2025
Jay was such a blessing! He was a true warrior when it came to defending us. A kind hearted man that made you laugh when you were down. I admired his knowledge and fierce ability to defend our rights. He was a friend as well. He came to visit us when my husband ( also a carrier) was sick. I´m so sorry for the loss of this great man.
Russ Jandt
June 26, 2025
As the Union representative for the Schaumburg, Hoffman Estates, and Roselle Post Offices, I interacted with Jay on many occasions. Whether it was at a Union meeting, a Christmas party, or in an official capacity where he saved my behind a couple times over my 30 plus years as a letter carrier. I always thought of him as very professional, but a really great guy too. It really saddened me hearing about his passing. A lot of people owe him a great debt of gratitude for all that he's done for the Union. He will be dearly missed by many.
Bill McIntyre
June 26, 2025
A Great Friend for almost 60 years. Worked together at the Clark Gas Station in Elmhurst , Illinois. Later years played Golf and enjoyed each others company. I will miss him.
The Gibbons Family
June 26, 2025
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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