Jay Elliott Blickstein

Jay Elliott Blickstein, a resident of Croton-on-Hudson, NY, passed away on April 19, 2024. He was 70 years old. Jay was born on January 1, 1954 in Brooklyn, NY to the late Marvin Blickstein and Mildred Tuchman. He grew up in Brooklyn with a large group of friends to go with to the beach and concerts. A graduate of Brooklyn College, he attended the Ohio State University for Journalism, returning to NY to start his career.

Before his retirement, he worked as an editor for Scientific American and other magazines such as Broadcast and Cable News, Baseline, Variety, Information Week, Outdoor Life, and Popular Science. Jay covered technology and entertainment with attention to detail, accuracy, and making writers sound like the best version of themselves. In the words of a former editor-in-chief “he made it smooth”.

Following his retirement, Jay had more time to pursue his many interests. He volunteered as a reading buddy at local schools, and helped a high school senior with his college essay.

Jay and Shelley traveled the US and the world, with more than 60 countries on their passports. Australia, Japan. Austin,TX, and Paris, France were his favorite places; Easter Island, Mongolia, and Dubai, the most unusual. He milked a yak in Mongolia, bought baguettes in Paris (“le retro” at Bechu Bakery), swam with dolphins in Dubai, rode horses in Montana, hiked Breakneck Ridge as a youth, and saw the New Years dawn in many locales far away from NY.

Jay was a devoted NY Mets fan, only missing one year, 2020, to cheer them on in person from the stands. He was also a big fan of Ohio State football and St. John’s University college basketball, and joined Shelley at the US Open Tennis and for the French Open.

Jay loved to swim, read the NY Times and Sports Illustrated, take walks along the Hudson, see movies, attend concerts (Grateful Dead - RIP Jerry Garcia), and enjoy fine dining. The Blue Pig’s “F&F Really Good Chocolate” ice cream was his favorite dessert.

Jay is survived by his beloved wife Shelley, whom he met in Brooklyn College over 50 years ago, and had 44 years of a happy marriage. He also had many close friends, family, and colleagues,an only child who had friends as family who were kin. Jay was preceded by two Irish Terriers, Huey and Leo, dogs with attitude, that loved him even when he didn’t give them treats.

In the words of a former colleague, “I worked with him 25 years ago, and I cherished staying in touch because I valued his friendship, his kindness, and his wonderful sense of humor. I will miss him mightily.” We all miss Jay, and our hearts are broken.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in his honor to the SPCA of Briarcliff Manor (Westchester), or to a charity of your choice.