NORBERT JACOB "JAY" WILDE

NORBERT JACOB "JAY" WILDE
Norbert Jacob "Jay" Wilde, 91, a long time resident of McAllen and a resident of Austin for the past ten years, died Friday, November 19, 2010 at 1:00 PM at Grace House in Austin as the result of complications with congestive heart failure. Born May 5, 1919 in Electra, TX, to John Henry Wilde and Katherine Luttmer Wilde, Jay was the tenth of eleven children raised by the couple. He was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, the late Mary Dionne Walsh Wilde, who passed away in February, 1991 in McAllen. He is survived by his wife of the past sixteen years, Fran Rigling Wilde.
Surviving Jay are his five children, Gregory Wilde (Sharon) of Metairie, LA, Denise Wilde Peykanu (Alireza) of Hermosa Beach, CA, Gery Wilde (Kim) of Austin, James Wilde (Debbie) of Houston and Bernadette Wilde Bennett (Barton) of Houston, TX. Also surviving Jay are his beloved grandchildren, Dr. Gregory Wilde (Jennifer) of Manhattan, NYC, Dr. Mark Wilde of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Elizabeth Wilde of New Orleans, LA, Dr. James Peykanu (Jessica) of Tualatin, OR, Benjamin Peykanu of Philadelphia, PA, Brandon Wilde of Austin, Dr. Jennifer Wilde of Frisco, CO, Thomas Wilde of Austin, Jean Wilde of Austin, John Wilde (Elizabeth ) of Houston, Catherine Barrera DeShaw (Jonathan) of Plano, TX, Matthew Barrera of Austin, Stephen Barrera of College Station, and Kevin Bennett of Houston.
In addition, Jay is survived by his great-grandchildren George, Josephine, Abraham and Theodore Peykanu, all of Tualatin, OR., his extended Wilde family including the Walsh family, the Peterson family, the Long family, the Johnson and Dooley families, and his many friends.
Jay was an alumnus of St. Anthony's Catholic High School, Oblate College of the Southwest and St. Mary's University, all of San Antonio and St. Louis University in St. Louis. Jay's business career as an insurance salesman for Prudential benefitted from his years of academic study, and his awards included District Man of the Year, The Texas Leader's Round Table and the National Quality Award for 15 years.
During his 48 years of residence in McAllen, Jay played both organ and piano and sang in the choir at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church where he was also an active member of the Men's Club. In Austin, he volunteered service at St. Davids North Austin hospital. His love of the Catholic faith has passed through the generations to his children and grandchildren.
Jay was known to all for his devout love of family and friends, for his enjoyment in the sport of sailing, for his love of gardening and barbequing, his great sense of humor, interesting editorial contributions to the McAllen Monitor, and his accomplishments as a musician. He will be remembered and treasured by his family as a generous and loving husband, father, and good friend. Learn more at WildeFamily.com.
A Mass and reception afterwards celebrating Jay's life will be held Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 10:00 AM at St. Louis King of France Roman Catholic Church, located at 7601 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757 (st-louis.org). Jay requested that his body be donated to the Genesis Legacy of Life program for the advancement of medical research. Donations in his honor can be made to Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, c/o Yolanda Garcia 285 Oblate Dr. San Antonio, TX 78216-6693.
The family would like to thank the Villages at the Arboretum, the Pavilion, Grace House, Heart to Heart Hospice, St. David's North Austin Hospital, and those who loved and cared for Jay in his final years.
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