JAY KWAWER

KWAWER--Jay S., Ph.D., Jay S. Kwawer, Ph.D., May 19, 1945 - July 23, 2025 died after long illness. Husband of Beth Teitelman, father of Rek E.T. Kwawer and Anna S. Kwawer, father-in-law of Patrick S. Mason, and best of all, grandfather of Jake. Survived by wonderful family and great friends, as well as colleagues, students, supervisees, and patients too many to count. Graduating from Columbia College in 1966, he earned his Ph.D. from the NYU Clinical Psychology Program, followed by a post-doctoral fellowship at the Austen Riggs Center in Stockbridge, MA. Returning to NYC, Jay completed his psychoanalytic training at the William Alanson White Institute, becoming a faculty member, supervising and training analyst, and participant in all aspects of Institute life. From 2008-2016, he was Director of the William Alanson White Institute. Jay was also an active member of the American Psychoanalytic Association. His accomplished, stellar professional life as a clinician, teacher, and supervisor was matched with a rich and engaging personal life. Born and raised in Brooklyn, living and working on the Upper West Side for decades, Jay was a true New Yorker. He loved the city and remained a Brooklyn Dodgers fan. His years in Stockbridge led to a lifelong love of the Berkshires where his "summer office" was a hammock reading the New York Times. A man of many talents and interests, he collected photographs, books on the history of psychoanalysis, Windsor chairs, and lots of old "stuff." He was happy puttering around fixing (or breaking) things. Jay was witty, thoughtful, kind, gifted with language, mentor and confidant to many, superb in a crisis, insightful and very, very smart. He never hesitated to take on a good fight for what was important to him. Most and above all, he loved his family and was exceedingly proud of his daughters. His joy in his final days was his new grandson, Jake. Jay loved and delighted, trained and taught, helped and supported many of us. He was loved and will be missed. Contributions in his memory to West Side Campaign Against Hunger and Doctors Without Borders. Graveside service on Friday, July 25, 11am, King Solomon Park, Clifton, NJ. Shiva at his home Sunday and Monday, 2-4:30pm and 7-9pm.