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JAY FISHMAN Obituary
63, died peacefully in his sleep on August 19, 2016, after battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Known for building Travelers into one of the most successful companies in the US insurance industry and member of the Dow 30, he was, first and foremost, the beloved husband of his childhood sweetheart, Randy Lee, for nearly 40 years, the father of two sons and daughters-in-law, the grandfather of three children, and a loving brother. Jay was born in 1952 in the Bronx and was dedicated to seeing that the opportunities that shaped his life and career were available to others. He invested his time and resources into numerous institutions in the arts, education and health. These included the New York City Ballet, where he served as Chairman of the Board, as well as his alma mater University Pennsylvania and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, where he served as a trustee. As CEO, he spearheaded Travelers' efforts to provide educational and career opportunities to underrepresented students. Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy proclaimed November 20, 2015 "Jay S. Fishman Day" for his service to the greater Hartford community. Following his diagnosis, Jay and Randy dedicated themselves to advancing the science of finding a cure for ALS, raising millions of dollars, forging research alliances, and supporting programs to help others suffering from the disease live better quality lives. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jay's name may be made to the Randy and Jay Fishman Program for Home Assisted Ventilation Gift Fund, Penn Medicine Development and Alumni Relations, Attn: Tamika Thomas, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Details of a public memorial will be shared at a later date.
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Memories and Condolences
for JAY FISHMAN
Robert Carbone
October 27, 2024
It is 2024 and I still think of you and pray for your family. Can't understand why God took you so early in life.
Tess Cordero
August 15, 2021
I received an email from Legacy about the passing of Jay. I left a message of condolence in 2016 because I was so touched by the way his work helped a lot of people. It's been almost five years but I still remember how sad it was that God in his sovereignty and goodness did you let Jay survive. Only God knows. Rest in peace my friend.
Maureen King
December 4, 2017
I first say Jay on the Charlie Rose show and was so incredibly impressed with him. His compassion, his fight, I felt he was a good person in the good fight. My Mother passed from ALS just two months before Jay. I want to leave this condolence for Jay's family however belated it may be. I am extremely sorry for your loss of a good man, an unselfish man who did all he could for others in the same fight. I could sense his goodness the moment I heard him speaking on TV. My hopes for your comfort. Sincerely, Maureen King Waltham MA
Tess Cordero
September 9, 2016
May the light of this candle shine on your path wherever you may go. May it give warmth and consolation to the family you left behind who love you so much.
Cam Rafiee
August 31, 2016
Jay - Thank you for saving my life. My acceptance into the Travelers EDGE program gave me that opportunity I always needed. Looking back, all of my success has been made possible by the guidance I've received from you and others at Travelers. I want to thank you again for everything that you have done for me in not only my career but also my life. The positive impact you've had on my life has given me the passion and motivation to always keep learning and to do my best as an employee, father and husband. I will cherish the times I was able to meet with you for the rest of my life. You were the best and will be greatly missed.
Lori Geilich
August 30, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. Jay made Travelers a company that I am proud to say that I am an employee of. I will miss his Thanksgiving messages..
August 30, 2016
To The Fishman Family, I'm sorry for your loss. I pray the lord will give you peace,comfort and strength for days, weeks, months and years to come. RIP Jay Fishman
Matt Skoviera
August 26, 2016
Jay set the bar for corporate leadership. We will miss him here at Travelers. Jay was not above anyone. He called me a couple times to respond to a question or idea I might've had. I am an underwriter and several positions below him in the leadership. Nobody was too small for him to talk to.
Scott Littlejohn
August 26, 2016
Many well recognized business leaders have provided their commentary regarding Jay Fishman's legacy with well-deserved, laudatory tributes. I was way, way on the periphery as it relates to Jay's sphere of influence. I was never an employee in any of Jay's businesses, I was far from a peer, and I never had a personal relationship with him. However, I did interact with him on several projects, acting as part of an investment banking team overseeing the completion of transactions for Jay and his franchise. Although I was one of the little people, Jay always seemed to have time to listen.
I'm fortunate to have met Jay in the early 90s when he was Treasurer of Primerica. I'm fortunate because the impressions Jay made were lasting. One of the more amazing things about Jay was his generosity, particularly with his time. Through the several projects with Jay, I saw him deal with difficulty and conflict not with bluster, but with patience and intellectual rigor. That was his form of generosity his time. He would sit for as long as it took to come to the appropriate course of action or answer. His valuable generosity came in the form of being a great listener and someone who was responsive and respectful with everyone!
August 25, 2016
My name is Jay Barasch of Barasch Insurance in Skokie Illinois. I was the first person Jay spoke to in Puarta Rico in 1999 when he first set foot with the travelers. He and Sandy Weil, are 2 of the warmest and nicest people for whom I have represented for
over 30 years. My deepest sympathies on our loss, and comfort be brought to your family and friends.
Shalom Jay
Eileen Prestel
August 24, 2016
I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Fishman, but am an employee of Travelers and very grateful for what he did for his employees. His letters around the holidays will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to everyone who loved him.
Bela Seco
August 24, 2016
Although I only knew of Jay from afar, I always had the sense that he was a kind and gentle man. His letters to us at Travelers were always filled with kind words and personal experiences. We are all very saddened by his loss but his memory will live on. Sincerest of condolences to his family and friends.
You are greatly missed Jay.
Joanne
August 23, 2016
I always looked toward to Jay's handwritten letters to the Travelers' employees at the end of each year. His letter added a special personal touch. When he made changes to the letter, he would simply scribble out what he wanted to be omitted. That made him so much more than a CEO, it made him a genuine person who wanted to express his appreciation, and his message was much more important than perfection.
The office is quiet this week and the void is very apparent. You will be missed, Mr. Fishman. God bless you. Thank you for the life lesson.
Beverly and Daniel Carvalho
August 23, 2016
Our heartfelt condolences to the Fishman family,
We only just met Jay at the Travelers Championship, What a generous thing he did for all of us from HSC. In our brief conversation it was easy to tell what a truly genuine and compassionate man he was. We will remember him fondly for his courage and all he has done for the fight against ALS.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Karla
August 23, 2016
Dearest Fishman Family,
I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Fishman in person. I am a Travelers employee and I am blessed to experience the fruit of his legacy as a leader and a person. My deepest condolences for your loss. You are in my prayers
Guia Chua RN
August 23, 2016
His Journey's Just Began
Don't think of Mr. Jay Fishman as gone away-His journeys just began,
Life holds so many faces-This earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting-from the sorrows and the tears.
In a place of warmth and comfort with God, Where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing-That we could know today, how nothing but our sadness-can really pass away.
And think of him as living-In the hearts of those he touched,
especially with you, his family, friends, and at Travelers for nothing loved is ever lost-And he was loved so very much by all of us. I revised this from a card I received that gave me so much peace when I lost our aunt and hopefully this will console you too. We feel your loss and we are praying for Jay, you, your family and the Travelers Family.
Wm. S. Jr.
August 23, 2016
Thank you for being the "Rock" at Travelers.
Connie Rizo
August 23, 2016
Randy and family: My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I have been part of Travelers since 1982 and have seen Jay making history through the years. He was a trusted leader. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Robin Sayre
August 23, 2016
My prayers go out to Randy and the family. As a Travelers employee I will miss him.
Mary Streeter
August 23, 2016
I am sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I am part Select Travelers Service Center in Elmira.
August 23, 2016
Jay will long be remembered for his leadership, but even more so for being a kind, caring man.
Darlene Barngrover (Travelers Pittsburgh, Pa)
Jan Woltermann Erschell
August 23, 2016
Randy and family,
I work at an Insurance Services in Wilder, KY. We represent Travelers. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. My Mother died of ALS last year. It is a horrible disease. Thanks for all you are doing to find a cure for ALS. God Bless.
August 23, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Wilma Delgado(Travelers Family)
Lori DePasquale
August 23, 2016
I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of Jay. As a Travelers employee of 30 years, I have great respect and admiration for the leader and man that Jay was. His integrity and wisdom have made me proud to be a Travelers employee. It is rare that a man of such power has such heart and regard for those around him. I pray that God would bring you all comfort in this time. He will be greatly missed.
Pamela Brown
August 23, 2016
To the Fishman family I just want to say I'm sorry for your loss!I have worked at Travelers for 42 years and I can honestly say he was the best leader we ever had.I don't have a big title but he made me and all of us in my salary range feel like we were just as important as the executives.When he shared his illness with us and wrote handwritten letters he made us feel like we were part of his family and he always had our back. You should all be so proud of him as I was. Great leader but more important he treated everyone the same no matter what their salary was.He certainly made his mark on this earth and I for one am going to miss him being our leader!
Susan Vickers
August 22, 2016
Jay was an amazing individual with an uncanny ability to connect with people at all levels of the organization.
To his family, you are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May you find strength and peace in knowing that he was so loved by his Travelers family.
Garrett Heltne
August 22, 2016
Jay gave me one of the biggest opportunities I'll probably ever receive and that was an internship right out of high school which turned in to a full time job. Travelers is the only company I have ever worked for and 9 years later its honestly the only company I ever want work for. Its all because of Jay and his influence on our company and it culture. Family always comes first, everything is earned and not given. Everyone must be a good person to be part if it. I will sincerely miss Jay. Hero's get remembers but Legends Never Die! RIP
Sue Fensky
August 22, 2016
My deepest condolences to the family and I hope they take comfort in knowing that his Travelers family respected him so much and also feels a deep sense of loss.
Dorothy Woods
August 22, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with the Fishman family.
John Finegan
August 22, 2016
I'm a former Travelers employee and 8 years ago my wife and I needed a short term loan from my Travelers retirement account rollover for the closing of our first home together. I started in early April and the rollover check had been delivered in the days leading up to the mid-May closing, but I was to just then learn the check would require 10 days to clear. The rollover institution agreed to waive the 10 days, but the Travelers division by policy said it could not--and I went pretty far up the chain within that division. A day before the funds needed to be in my account in order to be available for closing, I sent an email to Mr. Fishman (guessed at the address) as a Hail Mary, which I gave very slim odds of success even if I got the email address right. Eleven minutes later I received the reply, "Thanks for your note. I will look into it promptly." He included the executive overseeing the division and asked him to "please advise." I might note that I hadn't worked for the company for 3 years and while there was just a mid-level systems analyst. The check cleared the next day (40 seconds before the rollover institutions wire cutoff for the day). I wrote a thank you email to Mr. Fishman and the others who helped at his prompting. Two minutes later the CEO's reply came back--
"Congratulations, and thanks for giving us an opportunity to be helpful."
I'm still blown away by the character--the humility--of the man that brief statement reveals.
My sincere condolences to his family.
Tarah Robinson
August 22, 2016
Jay left an unforgettable legacy which, in the simplest form, was just how to love others. My prayers and deepest sympathies are with your family.
Sylvia Newby, retired
August 22, 2016
Unfortunately I did not meet Mr. Fishman in person during my tenure at Travelers. I did enjoy his handwritten notes during the holidays via email.
My deepest condolences to his family. May God give you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
August 22, 2016
My deepest condolences to your family during this most difficult time. There are no words that can ease the pain of losing someone so beloved. May you find comfort and peace in knowing that your loved one is in God's memory, because those who pass on are precious in his eyes. Psalms 116:15.
Marsha
August 22, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and all those who knew Jay.
I know first hand how ugly this disease is as I'm one of the care givers to a friend who has end stage ALS. We have to help find a cure for this disease that robs a person of themselves.
Diane Raitt
August 22, 2016
Dear Mrs. Fishman and Family,
I am praying for God to give you strength. I recently lost my husband and understand the pain you are feeling right now.
I had the pleasure of meeting Jay when I received the Travelers In Synch Award. He was a down to earth, caring and genuine man.
Cherish the memories and continue to live.
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
With Sincere prayers, Diane H. Raitt Tampa, FL.
Natalie Lundschen
August 22, 2016
As a member of the Travelers organization, it was very sad to receive the email from Alan that Jay had passed. All I could think about was that it was just a few weeks ago he was able to share his love of Travelers and mission of caring at the PGA tournament. I can only pray that he felt satisfaction and peace as he passed from this world. My heart and prayers go out to his family. May you find the love of God and the love of the Travelers family surround you in warmth and care.
Allison
August 22, 2016
I'm not sad Mr. Fishman, but I am a little heart broken. I'm not angry with God but I so hoped He would give you more time here with us. But He wanted you back home where we all must return some day, so until we meet again... Mrs. Fishman and family, thank you for sharing such a wonderful gift with all of us (Travelers family)
August 21, 2016
I have been an employee of Travelers for 35 years. I never had the pleasure of meeting Jay but he was the kind of a leader that you just felt you knew personally. He always sent had written notes at holiday times which is really unheard of from a man of his stature. I cannot tell you how touched I was each time I read one of his notes. A remarkable man ... Our company had lost a great. My condolences to his family .. He will be sadly missed but what a legacy he has left behind. I am profoundly sorry for your loss and ours.
Pete Paska
August 21, 2016
I only met Mr. Fishman once, when he came to Baltimore to discuss the merger of USF&G with the St. Paul Co. He understood our concerns and did everything to assure us that we were an important part of the new company.
Over the years I admired him for the way he made all of 'his' employees feel like family.
Travelers became a place where employee's work and family lives mattered. Thank you for sharing Jay with all of us.
Margaret Zybrick
August 21, 2016
My first day as a new employee with Travelers was the day Super Storm Sandy hit. As a MCM in the Morristown location we were temporarily working out of a conference room in a hotel. On one of the days Mr. Fishman personally came to speak to all of us and to thank us for our service knowing that many had sustained personal losses as well. It was heartwarming and moving. I was so impressed with his genuine concern for all of us. He was a great leader. He will be missed. My deepest sympathy to his family. Margaret Zybrick
Marlane Bozzi
August 21, 2016
Mrs. Fishman and family,
I had the pleasure of meeting Jay several times while working at Travelers. Jay was a very special leader and person. He radiated kindness and brotherhood and his goodness inspired me and many of my contemporaries to do right by doing good.
I am sorry for your loss. While the world is a worse place for Jay's loss, it's a better place for his having been here at all. I stand behind you and your family in mourning his passing.
I hope that before very long your sadness yields to memories of the happiness you shared.
Condolences,
cathy piorkowski
August 21, 2016
My heartfelt condolences go out to the Fishman family. I am blessed to be a part of Jay's business family at Travelers and will always cherish his memory and legacy. I pray that you find comfort during this very difficult time.
Michelle Auferio, RN
August 21, 2016
Met Jay and Randy when I won the In Sync Award with Travelers. Such compassionate down to earth people, Jay was so interested in what I do and did to win the award since I was the only Nurse to win that year. Talked to me in depth.Great man! You will be missed. RIP. Prayers for your family. God Bless.
August 21, 2016
I am so sorry. My deepest sympathies to all who loved Mr. Fishman. ALS is a beast. Losing my husband in February to this hideous disease has deepened my resolve to help find a treatment and a cure. May the day come that together, we will defeat the beast. Comfort and hugs.
Cathy Standish
Ed Joyal
August 20, 2016
My condolences to your family. Although I a, employed here in Pittsburgh I feel like I personally had a connection with I'm through the "handwritten notes" he would send via email at holiday time. God bless you.
Ed Joyal
Rochiell Carino
August 20, 2016
ANOTHER ANGEL SENT IN HEAVEN. Mr. Fishman, it's my dream to meet in you person and so sad it would never be. I've heard good things about you from my husband. It's such a very short time (a month) he's working with you but you gave us hope and thank you for being our inspiration. Thank you for being nice and kind to my husband. R.I.P.
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