Jay Norman Mann

Jerome “Jay” Norman Mann, age 91, passed away peacefully and painlessly on January 28, 2022, surrounded by his family. He was a loving husband, doting father and grandfather, astute businessman, avid athlete, proud veteran, and generous community member. He was warm and outgoing, always smiling, and “never met a stranger.” He was born in Brooklyn, NY, graduated from Brooklyn College, and, during the Korean conflict, was stationed in Brownsville, Texas, in the Air Force. In the 1950’s and 60’s, Jay was a Partner-General Manager of a chain of 15 bowling centers in New Jersey and Connecticut. On July 14, 1957, he married Flora “Flo” Jean Weissman – a marriage that would last nearly 59 years. They had three children – Leslie, Barry and David. Jay was an active and fun-loving father, coaching sports teams, frolicking in the pool, hosting amazing birthday parties to ballgames and museums, and taking the kids on rides on his motorcycle or outings on his boat. In 1968, he became a stockbroker, rising to the level of Vice President of Investments with Prudential Securities. The family lived in Oradell, New Jersey; in 1972, they escaped the cold to the Western Communities, first Royal Palm Beach and then Wellington, where he lived for nearly five decades. For years, Jay wrote a financial column in the Wellington Town-Crier. He loved golf, tennis, bowling (of course), and, later in life, yoga and pickleball. Jay was an active volunteer, and a longtime member of the Optimists Club. With retirement in 1995, he was far from inactive: he volunteered, delivered food, worked golf tournaments, and served as an elections precinct captain. Concurrent with retirement came grandparenthood – he loved visiting New Orleans and Atlanta to play with and dote on his four grandchildren. In mid-2021, facing health concerns, as well as the challenges of the pandemic, Jay relocated to Atlanta to be near his sons and grandchildren. He enjoyed life in his new retirement community, remaining active in social events, movies, and weekly Shabbat gatherings, until his health waned.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Hazel Mann; his brothers Robert and Leonard Mann; his wife Flora Weissman Mann; and his daughter Leslie Mann Celik. He is survived by his sons Barry Mann of Atlanta, GA, and David Mann (Carrie Leavitt) of Sandy Springs, GA; grandchildren Rachel Mann, Ethan Mann, Tendal Mann, and Royce Mann, all of Atlanta, GA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services will be Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at 11:30 am at IJ Morris at the Star of David Cemetery of the Palm Beaches, 9321 Memorial Park Road, in Palm Beach Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions are welcome to the Optimist Club of West Palm Beach or Weinstein Hospice in Atlanta. Online condolences may be offered at www.starofdavidfunerals.com.