Marc Jay Paley

Obituary of Marc Jay Paley

Marc Jay Paley, 78, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2026.

Born in the Bronx, New York, Marc was the beloved son of the late Doris and Matthew Paley. He grew up in the Bronx and was a proud graduate of William H. Taft High School, Class of 1965.

On July 11, 1970, Marc married the love of his life, Michele Paley (née Lizzi). Together they shared 48 wonderful years of marriage until her passing in 2018. Marc and Michele made their home in Washington, New Jersey, where they raised their two children, Kimberly and Michael, and built a life centered around family, love, and togetherness.

Throughout his career, Marc worked for various finance firms as a tax advisor, a role he carried out with dedication and integrity until his retirement. While his professional life was important to him, Marc truly lived for the moments spent outside of work-especially those shared with his family.

A Bronx native through and through, Marc proudly bled blue for his favorite teams, the New York Yankees and the New York Rangers. His love of sports extended far beyond those teams; Marc enjoyed competition of all kinds and could often be found watching everything from bowling to golf. When his children were young, he generously gave his time as a youth league coach, sharing his passion for sports and teamwork with them and many others.

Marc was also an avid history enthusiast, particularly fascinated by World War II. He spent countless hours reading books on the subject and, in recent years, closely following documentaries that deepened his appreciation for history.

Above all else, Marc was a devoted family man. A man of simple means who found joy in life's little things, he cherished being surrounded by his family, watching them grow, and proudly stepping into his role as a grandfather. He was happiest cheering on his grandchildren and making every effort to support them in all of their endeavors-truly striving to be the best grandfather he could be.

Marc is survived by his loving daughter, Kimberly McKenna and her husband Robert; his son, Michael Paley; and his cherished grandchildren, Madison, Brady, John "Jack," and Caroline. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Michele, and his parents, Doris and Matthew Paley.

Family and friends are invited to attend visitation on Monday, February 9, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Knoll-DeVoe Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 142 West Washington Avenue, Washington, NJ 07882. A funeral prayer service will immediately follow at the funeral home. Marc will be laid to rest beside his wife at Hackettstown Union Cemetery.