Susan & Zach,

I'm so sorry to hear about Jay.  I haven't seen you guys in so long but I loved your family and always looked forward to you guys coming by Fascino.  We had many years together and Jay taught me a TON about Wine.  The single greatest wine I ever had was the one Susan bought for his birthday.  Chataeu La Mission Haut Brion.  I believe it was a 1961.  I still talk about that wine to this day.  Thank you for being a great friend Jay!  You will be missed by everyone.  Hope you guys are ok, losing a close loved one is very difficult.
Love,
Anthony DePersio

Jay was a class act. I really enjoyed our covid walks with Wilks around Montclair. He pointed out Yogi's house and how it sold for $888,888. You will be missed.

I knew Jay through the yarn industry.  For many years Diamond Yarn represented KFI in Canada and I got to spend time with Jay and remember him as being smart, energetic and having a terrific sense of humour.
Please accept my condolences - gone too soon.

Dear Opperman Family.  

So sad to hear this news.  Whenever anyone to this day asks me how I effortlessly work so hard, I always tell them about my mentor when I was just getting started as a working adult.  
Jay really lit the way for me for many years and I will always appreciate those learning moments.  

One day in Florence, he literally gave me this extraordinary tour of the deepest details of the city in 4 hours.  I bring up details of those 4 hours at least once per month since it happened almost a decade ago. He was a rare kind of person who knew exactly what he loved.

May all of the memories of his passions and interests and intrigue always give you peace and inspire you to live.

Love,
Thomas Ascough

Dear Susan, I am so sorry to hear about Jay, he was so kind and funny,  the love you shared was alway so clear. Sending you love and heartfelt condolences.

Dear Susan and Family, 

It is such sad news to hear of Jay passing. While the loss is tremendous, the many memories he has created with those that love him is equally matching. May those memories help you and your family through this tough time. 

When Jay and I met for seasonal visits, we always shared stories, usually war stories about our fur babies since we both had a love for big dogs. It was also clear that he loved his family and often gushed about his son and projects he was working on. It was so special to hear. 

Again, so sorry for your loss. 

xoxo Jenny

To Susan:

This is what I wrote on my social media feed on Saturday:

A dear friend died this morning. He was a warm part of what can be a surprisingly cold industry, a generous ally, and a true mensch, just what we need more of right now. The sun burns a bit dimmer today.

His light will continue to shine through all of us.

Love,
Melissa

Jay was so funny and warm. When my husband and I first moved to Montclair, he knew Susan from shooting commercials at her house and got in touch. They both welcomed us and made us feel at home. And that wine cellar! Both vast and amazing. A lovely, sweet man with a great sense of humor.

Dear Susan and Zach,
I am saddened to hear about Jay's passing. He was a kind, generous man who was an loving and devoted husband and father. I was fortunate to spend time with him and loved his enthusiasm for wine and art.  Though I moved from Montclair nine years ago and hadn't seen him, my heart still aches for his loss.
With love,
Marilyn

I was so sad to hear that Jay passed away. He was more than my sales rep. He was my friend.  We would always catch up on each other’s family before doing business. I will miss our meetings.

Dear Susie:

There are no words to adequately communicate how deeply sorry Bobby and I are at Jay's passing.  At family gatherings, he was always so warm, kind and fun to be with. We send our love and sincere hope that his memory will be for a blessing for you, Zach and Christine in the days to come.

Love,
Robin and Bobby

To Susan, Zach and Family.

Jay and I go back to the late 70s - at which time we worked together at Berroco yarns. Basically, we grew up together in the yarn industry. Over the many years, I would re-connect with Jay as though we had never missed a beat. Regardless of where we worked, we wished above all, each other well.

Jay was and is a lifelong friend in which time and distance never made a difference. One year or forty years were merely an abstraction since relationships are not defined by time. And now beyond life, nothing has changed. 

Jay - you are and will forever be a dear friend. Yes, we mourn your presence but will forever savor our memories together.

With our deepest sympathies and love,
Warren & Caroline Wheelock

Jay was a hard worker and probably one of the best sales people I knew. He also knew how to have a fun time. I'll always remember the KFI dinners where he would be joking and having everyone at the table laugh. Not to mention some of the wacky stories he would tell me of adventures on the road. This is such sad loss to all who knew him.

Jay could light up a room, no matter where he went. He was very passionate about the things he loved and believed in. Not many people have that amount of passion in their heart and soul. 
I was very lucky to work with him for the past 7 years.   
Jay, you will be missed is an understatement. 
Blessings to your family.

My last trip to Italy with Jay in 2019, he HAD to walk me across town to see this. He loved his wine and wanted to share with me the story of this outdoor exhibit. He always wanted to share culture and the beauty of the world with others. ~ Jeff ~

Incredibly saddened to hear of Jay's passing. Jay was always caring and thoughtful, a deep well of industry knowledge with a dry wit. I'll miss our chats and laughter and will always be grateful for how kind and helpful he was when I was just starting my shop. I learned so much from him. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Jay. 

My sincerest condolences to his family and friends, 
Karen Calabria, North Fork Fiber Arts

I was saddened to hear of Jay's passing. He was so positive about his future when we spoke a couple of weeks ago.  His visits to my store in Canada were always filled with laughter, as we did our business and discussed/solved the problems of the world.  He was extremely knowledgeable of the yarn industry and ever so helpful to me as I opened my store.  There is now a large hole in the industry that will be hard to fill.  He will be missed.  RIP my friend.

Sheila
Serenity Knits

I am so sad and stunned to hear of Jay's passing.
Jay was the best salesman second to none and a true "mensch".
I looked forward to his visits to my shop always walking in with a smile and a hug. We talked about his loving family first and then we talked business. He had such impeccable taste and was helpful with his wealth of knowledge.
My deepest sympathy to his wife and children and may you rest in peace dear Jay.
Renee Lorber

Sending sympathies to Jay’s family. I knew him from when he called on us at Yarns Unlimited in Sewickley PA- we bonded over our love for Bernese Mountain Dogs.  I’m sorry for your loss.

My beautiful Jay
So sad that you have left us……I miss and love our times together as you have been always there for me….taking care of my needs as you have always done.  I am in shock and I am turning my head around this trying to figure out just what has happened to you.  You were the best salesperson in the us for me bar none!
To your wife and family, your husband was an amazing rep and I am sure as a Canadian that I am not the only one saying this…..he was one of a kind!  My condolences to all of you!
Kindest Regards
Johanne Barton

Dear Susy, I was so sorry to hear about Jay’s passing. I know the emptiness that his loss will leave in your heart. If you ever want to talk or are feeling lonely, don’t hesitate to text me back or call my landline 3013605989. Jay was always so kind to me. As are you sweetie! ♥️ Text 8454990743.

I am very saddened to have learned of Jay’s passing. I knew him well when I had my shop Bo~Peep Fine Yarns in Ligonier, PA. We always looked forward to his visits. Jay’s dry sense of humor was unmatched and he had a terrific business sense. His family was everything to him. I’ll keep the whole Opperman family close in prayer during this incredibly difficult time. 
Michelle Gardner

To Susan--I'm so sorry to hear about Jay. He helped make my shop beautiful over the years, and he was always kind to me, and he always had a good story. I'm glad I got to meet. you through him. Sending love your way.

Uncle Jay, 

The memories I have with you go back 38 years. You made my childhood so much fun with all the time spent together as a family. You were always laughing and making me laugh. The holidays spent together, the summer hangouts, the stories we would cry laughing about, to being at my wedding, gender reveal and meeting Alexander, you have always been a part of my life. You will be greatly missed. I hope you are reunited with Grandma Lynn, not emptying sugar packets out of of Grandpa Maurice's pockets and Uncle Seymour doesn't surprise you with something flying across the table. 

Love, Your Niece Allison

My sincerest condolences. I had only known Jay for a short time, through knitting, but he was always so lovely. His loss will be felt in the knitting community. 

Christine Walker 
PeaceTree Fiber Adventures

Jay was one of the first yarn reps to visit our little shop. We always enjoyed his visits. He will be remembered fondly.

 Lisa Toppin, A Knit Sheep Yarns

Today I heard of my friend passing.  Jay was a solid sincere wealth of knowledge in our business.  I learned much from him over the years.  I am so happy he took the time to visit those of us in Canada, and sad that stopped during COVID 19.  We still had phone calls, and It is hard to believe Jay has left us, hopefully for a better place.  Hercy and I will certainly miss our chats. My sincere condolences to his remaining family.  Peter Smith  Toronto Canada.

Dear Susan & Zack,

Jay had a personality that could light up a room. He could always make people laugh, and always found humor in even the most dire situations. It was a wonderful outlook to have on life, and was infectious. Add to that his determination and tenacity, he was truly a unique & special person. This world is less without him. 

May his memory be a blessing. 
Warm Regards,
Jeffrey J Denecke Jr

I wish to extend my sincere condolences to Jay's family at this very difficult time. I knew Jay through his work. With a small shop here in Ontario we didn't get too many reps from the U.S.   He started touring around and we welcomed him in.  What fun talks we had! A few discussions on the state of affairs in the world and lots of laughs. He was so knowledgeable of his industry and the products he discussed with us. I was stunned when he told me he wasn't well and had wished him the very best in his health journey. He will be truly missed. Not only in business but as a friend. Affectionately always known as our "Jay from Jersey".  With sincere sympathy, Diane Griffith (Wool & Silk, Shelburne, Ontario)

I’m so sorry and stunned to hear of Jay’s passing.  I didn’t get to know him well but he was without a doubt one of the best salespeople I’ve ever met.  He was truly dedicated to providing great customer service and support at KFI.  Sending condolences to his family and friends.

Jay played  a very supportive and encouraging role in my knitting store career. He was kind and caring person and the industry will feel his loss. 

He always spoke about his wife and family with so much love I am sorry for your loss.

My heart is broken today. Jay was an incredibly important person to so many. In my professional life only, he loomed quite large and I learned so much from working with him. His kindness and warmth remains unparalleled and he will be so missed.

My condolences to all his family and friends.
-Amelia, Toronto, ON

I am so so so sorry to hear about Jay's passing.  He was such a warm and caring person.  He will be sorely missed.

I was very saddened to hear the news of Jay's passing. I offer my sincere condolences.  I worked with Jay over the past 15 years.  He was always so nice, professional and had a great sense of humor, he  made me laugh often.  I will miss him! 
Beth McKenna

OBITUARY

Jay Marc Opperman

18 May, 1954 – 6 July, 2024

Bernheim-Apter-Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel

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