Jay F. McCormick Jr.

     Jay F. McCormick Jr., 80, of Cammal, passed away Saturday morning, March 12, 2016, at his home with his wife Virginia and granddaughter Shannon at his side.

     Born May 23, 1935, in Lock Haven, he was the son of J. Franklin McCormick Sr. and the former Mary Renzo.

     He is survived by his loving wife, the former Virginia L. Laubscher, they were united in marriage in Lock Haven on July 6, 1956. Also surviving are a son, John F. McCormick, of Lawrenceville, Ga.; two daughters, Miriam E. McCormick Hayes, of Sterling, Va., and Paula J. McCormick, of Vienna, Va.; and two grandchildren, Robert F. Hayes and Shannon M. Hayes.

     Jay was a 1953 graduate of Lock Haven High School in Lock Haven and a 1957 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University earning a degree in electrical engineering. For 8 years he served as the McHenry Township Supervisor and was on the Rails to Trails Committee.

     For nearly three decades, Jay was engaged in engineering, evaluating and improving a vital national defense program known as TACAMO, Take Charge and Move Out. Working with the Navy Electronics Command and later Naval Air Systems Command, Jay oversaw the development of the second, third and fourth generation of the airborne Very Low Frequency EC-130 and E-6 communications systems that linked national leadership with our strategic nuclear defense systems comprised of submarines, missile silos and long-range bomber forces. He worked daily with defense contractors, Navy operational leaders, Navy engineers, testers and logisticians, as well as senior Navy headquarters, senior OSD Strategic system policy makers and Congressional staffers.

    The success of these programs and their longevity throughout and past the Cold War era is an accomplishment that Jay shared with a large team that valued his mentorship, sound technical and operational understanding, and smart business acumen. The communications systems developed during Jay’s time in government service continues to take to the air every day and assure the President and the Nation that our most powerful strategic forces are ready to defend us at that moment when they are needed most. Jay was a legend, leader and visionary of the strategic communication domain from 1970 to 1998.

     He had a great love for the outdoors, Jay enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing and traveling with his family.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, 2016, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 118 Kendall Ave., Jersey Shore. A visitation will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 15 at Frederick B. Welker Funeral Home, 125 N. Main St., Jersey Shore.

     Burial will be held in Rest Haven Memorial Park, Woolrich.

     In honor of Jay, memorial donations may be made to Pine Creek Preservation Society, or The Parkinson's Association.

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