I can’t believe it’s been a year since Jon passed. I feel like I still just got that call from Syd that shook me to my core. I don’t think that you ever fully get over someone you loved passing but you get through it. And having this page and being able to read all of your memories  of Jon have definitely  helped me get through this hard year. Especially since I missed so much  that I wish I hadn’t.  I wish this page could keep going forever I doubt it can.  But his memory will for sure.  I’m still remembering little things like the inside jokes we had  and conversations I haven’t thought about for years. I believe that bodies die but souls don’t. And when you were as deep and beautiful a soul as Jon  his light will keep shining on and on.

You are so missed JK . I feel blessed that we shared such a deep love . I am happy to have been part of your chapter in life . I remember one day I convinced  jk to have protein shakes every morning .  I was so excited that you were all in . I woke up extra early to blend our protein shakes .. yes people early as in 4;30am . jk said to me after two weeks “ do you really love  the shakes ? I said “ don’t you? He said “ how much do you love them  ? I said “ they are so good for you especially to start your day . Jk replied “ do you like quick chocolate milk ? I knew immediately by his grin what had just happened . Jk switched out my protein powder with quick . We both laughed non stop . We played so many jokes on each other  ,but he was the best at it . I know he is laughing and singing melodies.  Until we meet again  . Love you Baby Bird

Gordon still carries the Keychain you gave him the first day we met.

Laughter and love!! That's what Jon was all about. We met as friends but immediately felt like family, which is easy if you know Jonathan. My first cousin beautiful Jennifer introduced us to Jon when we came up to New York City for a visit. We all hung out on that rooftop overlooking the Empire State building. We never laughed so hard in our entire life. And though we only hung out that one time, we continued to talk on the phone. Jen would send us video clips of Jon, which made us laugh so hard our bellies would hurt. And he always kept a straight face when he was in his comic character which made him even funnier. The Empire State Building shines its light in the darkness without fail and we know Jon is shining his light into the universe FOREVER. Until we meet again our friend, we love you!!!

I’ll never forget the fun and special times with Uncle Jon! I remember always getting so excited to see him on birthdays, holidays and those surprise visits when he just popped in. Everything was always more fun with Uncle Jon around like the time that Samantha, Danielle and I were all in the pool and Uncle Jon got home from work and his first thought was to turn on the hose and start spraying us. It turned into a full blown water fight and he seemed to be having just as much fun as we did. 

I wish our time together wasn’t cut short but even though he’s gone, Uncle Jon is still making us laugh and smile through all the shared stories, memories, pictures and videos. 

In the words of Pink Floyd, I wish you were here Uncle Jon!

To my Uncle Jon,

Thank you for the countless memories and adventures. I wish I could sit and watch you play the guitar or get a ride in one of your cool cars just one more time. You were the most gentle soul I will ever get to know. From your passion for animals and selfless acts, I wish to come close to the person you are. Thank you for teaching me the difference between the easy way and the hard way even though it was a brutal lesson to learn. You always made me feel special and understood me in a way like no other could. I will forever cherish our inside jokes and the time we spent together. 

I know you’re up there cuddling with Lola and hanging out with Uncle Matt watching all of us and laughing. I know you’re always with me. I can’t wait to see you again.

I love you- Sam

My uncle Jon was undoubtedly someone very unique. He was fun and playful, in his own mischievous way. He always made me laugh, but through all the jokes and his strong demeanor, he was an extremely caring person, always going out of his way to help or support those he loved, even in the smallest ways, and he always had that smile on his face.
I can still hear him playing guitar, and I can still feel his big bear hugs. I will miss you forever uncle Jon.

When I first met Jon,  he was this scrawny little 12 year old kid with an impish grin. Little did I know then that he would soon become like the brother I never had, my future brother-in-law and a beloved uncle to my children. I have so many memories of Jon, too many to count, but the through line in all of them is the smile on his face, his desire to make people laugh, his generosity and the guitar that seemed to almost always be attached to his fingers. 
When my father passed away in 2021, the day before Jon's birthday, Jon made sure to attend the funeral and after the service, he came over to me and said, "Whenever you’d speak to your father, you knew he was really listening to you and that he really saw you.  He was a Mensch." Looking back now, I realize why that must have stood out so much to Jon...because he was the same way.  Jon cared about everyone and would do anything for anybody!  That is how I will always remember him. As the loving, caring, thoughtful, funny, smiling Mensch that he was! ❤️

Uncle Jon, 

Although I miss you dearly, and not a day goes by without you, and Poppa, and Casper on my mind, I’m no longer shedding tears, because I know that I’ll see you and the others again one day when I see you on the other side.

 Matthew

Love is the most important thing, to be a loving person, Jon was the most loving person I know, he truly lived...”love your neighbor as yourself”.

Jon gave from the heart, and he gave endlessly.

If you needed him to go a mile, he would give you 10,000. He would get down in the gutter for you if he had to, to help, anytime, no matter where...if he could he was there, he wouldn't think twice, and then he'd give you a big bear hug after, and disappear as quickly as he appeared.

Jon was the one person, better than anyone, that could get me out of my head, and I will miss that mischievous playful smile he had, that told you, everything is okay, just smile...just laugh...I will miss the times we just laugh together.

They say the brightest stars burn the brightest, and burn out the quickest, with Jon this is the truth. He had so much talent to share, and so much life left to live, Jon was one of the brightest lights, and he shared that light with everyone he touched...he left us way too soon.

More than anything, Jon is love, Jon is my role model, and I hope to one day be as good as he is.

Jon, you were my confidant, my cheerleader, my protector, my best friend, you were my comrade in arms on the battlefield that is this life...you are my brother.

Brother...I miss you Jon...everyday!

JONATHAN, 

You my sweet friend, I can write about for days. Where do I begin? We knew of each other as younger men, but our friendship flourished in our later years. From the first conversations we had at Aunt Sydney’s home, you were SELFLESS. Always looking to help, or give, or donate. Whether it was a guitar string, guitar case, your incredible intellect, your caring advice, your sense of humor, your time. You were always there for me, and anyone who was close to you. If anyone reads this, you should know that I was with Jonathan the evening he passed away. At the start of the evening, once again, his selflessness kicked in. He helped orchestrate a Zeppelin gig with a few friends, and not only did the ‘talk the talk’, he did the full walk as only he could. He picked me up because he has the kindest soul any man could have. He lugged all the equipment in the bar, and wouldn’t take a hand from any of us. We still helped of course but this is the type of man we’re talking about here. One who not only bent over backwards for you, but did the entire back flip. He exerted himself. He did too much. I will never forget that night. Why? Why this great guy?  I now know, and I always say to myself, “God really needed this angel of a man up in Heaven.” I miss you pal, I loved our few moments we had together whenever we could get together and jam. You are immensely loved by friends, family, and anyone who had the privilege of knowing you. I truly respected you because you were a man who adored his family, his friends, and were a true lover of music. You are talented, charismatic, handsome, hysterically witty, and just an incredible human being to be with. You rest easy my friend. Till we see each other again in that big concert up in the sky. I love you Jonathan. CC❤️

The memory that stands out in my mind occurred in the very first moments that I met Jon. It exemplifies everything you need to know about him.  As we were introduced and I reached out to shake his hand, he ignored my hand and wrapped me in a big bear hug. “We hug when we’re family”, he said with a big smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. That’s the way I’ll always remember him. Always willing to help out, as he did when he helped me change a flat tire or tuning up our car. Always there for you with hug and a smile. That’s how I will remember Jon.
                                            

A warm sincere smile and a big bear hug was what I could expect every time Jonathan and I were reunited.
A hug from a towering broad shouldered handsome man! That was still an amazing and almost silly sight for me, because the days that I was 5 inches taller than him stay so vivid always in my mind.
Walking to or from Russell Sage junior high school, with Jon, Rod, and Kym…. Implanted in my memories. Memories of 40 years ago.

Rod would be giving Jonathan tips on drumming, as they both would have drum sticks, practicing on the Forest Hills air.
The day all the siblings, Kym, Tony, Jonathan and Jason’s Dad passed, Kym and Jon and I sat on swings on Austin street and tried to take in the gravity of their fathers death. As best as early teenager’s minds could grasp.
The loss of Jon,  seems to cut ever so much more deeply to my now,  50+ year old mind.

His reassuring presence, open heart, his eternal kindness and eagerness to help his family and friends, are just some of his qualities that leave such a deep tare in the lives of those he loved.

His earthly loss is truly a void that will not be filled.
Although his loving connection to those who had his loyalty and heart, will remain.
As I am reassured by my faith, love is everlasting, true loyalty is eternal, and energy never dies, only transforms.
You left a beautiful mark in our hearts Jonathan. So proud of the man you became and honored to have known you. 
Love always,
Pam 




While I have so many memories of Uncle Jon I hold close to my heart, my favorite has to be when he taught me 52 Card Pickup. I had never heard of the game before and was really excited to learn how to play, and probably less excited when Jon picked up the deck of cards from the table and then dropped and scattered them all over the floor for me to pick up. Uncle Jon was always doing silly things like that to make me smile, and I'm smiling now thinking about the memory and him. 

Love you always, Uncle Jon. 

4-19-97 at Blarney Castle
Jon doing his thing - and looking great!
Andrew too! Wish we could hear you guys! 

Jon on Bass and Andrew on Guitar 
Blarney Castle gig on 4-19-97

Blarney Castle gig
4-19-97
Rod Caccavale on Drums

Blarney Castle gig - 4-19-97
Andrew Muller on Guitar

Now let’s name the fellow musicians joining Jon at Blarney Castle on 4/19/97
Richie Rye on Keyboards 

Seven years later, Jon still doing the thing he loved and did so well…and still with his cousin Rod on the drums! But now with another group of talented Forest Hills musicians, all longtime friends!
4-19-97 at Blarney Castle 

                         Jon, Colin and Rod
                          Recording Session
                             Untold Stories
                                      1990
And we have those original reel to reel tapes!
Missing in action: Quinn, Greg and Michael!
And I know Marc was there too!

Jon and Rod setting up equipment for a Untold Stories recording session in 1990,
Of course the group recorded their original tunes as well as playing successful gigs! Thanks Marc Blackbird for all of your writing contributions! The group had some phenomenal material! ❤️🎶

Untold Stories tore the house down!
On Rock and Roll Friday
July 12th, 1989
At Shooters NY in Fresh Meadows
Great times, great memories! 

Untold Stories gig on April 6, 1989 at
Kenny’s Castaways in Greenwich Village
They packed the joint and were booked again!

Amazing gig at famous Kenny's Castaways, one of many performed there  by Untold Stories! 
Greg Bala, Quinn Cassavale, Rod Caccavale,
Colin Chesley, Jon Kaye and Michael Wetherell 

Jon and Michael on stage at famous CBGB’s! 
So young, so long ago but oh so talented! 

Quinn, Rod and Jon on stage at famous CBGB’s! 

Untold Stories gig at famous CBGB’s!
March 29th, 1989
To quote the song: Oh what a Night!
Great memories! 

Professional Headshot of Untold Stories- 1989
Quinn, Michael, Colin, Rod, Jon and Greg

My loving nephew. Jon Kaye, was a talented and accomplished singer and musician from an early age, which continued throughout his life! He was only 17 when he began playing bass professionally with the group Untold Stories! I am so happy to share the following photos from this successful group! We miss you Jon but your music is always with us! ❤️🎶

Jon, with your passing the world has lost a sweet and gentle giant.  I'll  miss your mischievous smile, your infectious laugh, and the way you filled up a room with your presence.  It's really difficult to imagine you not here.  I only wish I could have spent more time with you, and I pray that you know just how much you meant to me.  My cousin, I will always remember growing up with you and all of the cherished memories with made.  You will forever hold a place in my heart.  Until we meet again, I love you. 
You cousin, Quinn. 

Jon, holding his painting with Aunt Syd looking over his shoulder, Harrison chuckling on the right and Ray on the left gazing in wonder and probably thinking, why isn’t it jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli or Wes Montgomery or Charlie Byrd, Joe Pass, or Kenny Burrell! And don’t think Jon didn’t know these jazz greats! Because he did!

July 8, 2018
Rod, Aunt Syd (that’s me) and Jon at his Birthday Party! Thanks Jenn for a wonderful day! And for a guitar and bass lover as Jon was,  what better gift than a painting of Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page! Or at least Rod thought so! And Jon, it could have been Bob Dylan! 

In 2003 at Kym’s with Jon and Cary and Nana Jo with those “cute as a bug in a rug” cousins, Maegan, Harrison, Samantha and Matthew! 

Aunt Syd (that’s me) is the photographer now on same day in 2000!
Ray standing in back left, on couch. Steve, Tony, Quinn & Nana Jo, Kym holding Maegan, Gretz and Sheri standing.
In front left, Jon, Harry and Jean Perlmutter, Rod, Johnny and Jason! 

Family party at Aunt Syd’s house (that’s me.)
Jon with siblings, parents, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews! Large crowd, lots of laughs and good times in 2000!
From back left, Ray standing, on couch, Steve, Tony, Quinn and Nana Jo, Kym, holding Maegan, Gretz Muscat, Sheri standing, Diane, holding Matthew and Bob and Elaine Rubin.
In front left, Jon on phone, sitting on floor Jean Perlmutter, Johnny,  Aunt Syd, Jason and Anthony. Rod is taking photo!


At Tony & Diane’s Wedding in 1997.
Standing: Jason, Jon, Melissa and Scott.
Seated: Anthony, Kym, Maria, Rod, Kitty and Quinn.

The Brothers Kaye in 1996  in Aunt Syd’s living room: Jon, Jason and Tony!
What happened? Tony used to be the tallest brother!! 

Dinner with family and friends in 1995!
Gandi, Tony and Diane.
Jon at the head of the table! Where else!
Jason, Kym, Aunt Syd, Kitty and Rod (that’s me.)

In front of my house in 1995!
Rod (me), Kym, Jason, Jon, Gandi’s girlfriend 
and Gandi kneeling in front!

The Brothers Kaye in Aunt Syd’s living room in 1996! Jon, Jason and Tony! What happened? Older brother Tony was always the tallest brother! WOWEE!

Visiting Renee & Gary in 1996.
Kym, Quinn, Jon, Syd, Rod (me), Renee and Gary!

Posing in front of Annie’s in Brooklyn Heights on Kym’s day off in 1996! She runs the joint and does a super job!
Rod (me), Kym, Kira visiting from CA, Quinn and new friend!
And of course, the main feature, Jon, kneeling in front!

Our gang in front of Annie’s in Brooklyn Heights, Kym’s work place ( and it’s great and so is she at her job!)
Rod, Kym (her day off), Kira, visiting from CA, Kym, new friend, 
and Jon in front (of course, where else would he be) in 1996.

The Brothers Kaye in Aunt Syd’s living room in 1996! Jon, Jason & Tony!! And Tony was always the tall one! What happened!!

The gang in front of my house (Rod) in 1995.
On the left, Rod, Kym, Jason, Jon and friend of Gandi who is kneeling in front!

A day visiting Renee and Gary in 1996!
Kym, Quinn, Jon, Syd, Rod (me), Renee and Gary!

Another fun get together in 1996 with from left on back row:
Shawn, Rod (me), Jon, Peter, Nick & Dan
Kitty, Quinn, Joanna & Nicole
Kym & Iman



Good friends who Jon, Kym, Quinn & I  (Rod) made while working those teenage years at Houlihan’s!
Fun night out in 1995 with from left, unknown friend & Linda,  Syd, Dave Estes, Jon, Kym and Nicole!

Jon always tried to spend time  with one of his brothers! Here on 5/12/94 with younger brother Jason and his bro from another mother, Gandhi!

Great day at my house on 8/1/94!
Rod (cousin, but close as brothers), Jon and older brother Tony!

August 1992
Fun at Elda & Roy’s beach house in CA!
Rick, Jon, Rod, Kym & Jason standing!

Another day in August 1992 at a friend’s house in CA!
 Aunt Syd, Ray, Rod & Jon standing!
Grandpa Raymond, Mike and friend sitting!

Family fun in California in 1992!
A sunny day at Disneyland on 8/28/92 with 
Mike, Angie, Jon, Quinn, Kym, Aunt Syd (that’s me.)
Jason, Rod and Nana Jo! Where’s Mickey Mouse?

Mike and Jon getting ready to head to a job for Raider in 1991!

Jon in California in 1991 when he worked for Raider with Troy Long and Michael Wetherell. Jon had that pensive stare when he wanted to, and that beautiful head of hair! 

Me (Rod) with Jon one day in 1991 when I was visiting LA! Jon was heading out to a job with Raider and I was just taking it easy, so it seems! Both of us pretty serious however!

Oh the Houlihan’s days! Thanks to my cousin Kym and my sister Quinn, who Kym insisted join her to apply for potential jobs at Houlihan’s in Manhattan about 1986, we all ended up working there! And also all met some lifelong friends! Above are Jon and me with Aunt Sheri and Nana Jo, who came in one day in 1988 to show their support as well as get some tasty treats! 

More good times in 1985 & 1986!
Jon celebrating his 14th Birthday in 1985 with Rod and me! Rod is looking a little too gleeful or just plain silly! You would never know that he’s a year older than Jon! Lol!

Jon still looking sharp in 1985 with Rod, Kym and Chris! Good looking group in my living room! 

Ship ahoy! Tony, Nana Jo, Quinn and Jon ready to sail the ocean blue! What ship is that, Mates! I think Syd and Sheri got seasick!

Christmas 1987 relaxing on my couch after dinner…left to right Rod, Diane, Tony, Sheri & Mike. On the floor Quinn, Jason & Jon! Missing from photo, still at the dining room table, Kym, Grandpa Raymond & Ray.  And I’m the photographer! 

Summer 1989 at my dining room table starting with unknown damsel sitting, Cary (Marc’s cousin), dapper Jon and Marc. I don’t know what the occasion was, but Jon and the boys could always find a reason! I’m sure Rod and the rest of the gang were lurking somewhere! And of course, I’m taking the pic!

Fun times in the late 1980’s with Jon, family and friends at my house…Aunt Syd’s!
Photo above: Mike, Rod and Jon showing their love for Jimi Hendrix with 3 of his albums in summer of 1987! They loved their music and particularly Hendrix!!

Back to 1987 Christmas dinner at my house! 
Starting on left in front, Jon & Mike. At dining room table, Diane, Tony, Sheri, Grandpa, Kym, Quinn, Jason & Ray! I must be taking picture!
Must have those photos! 

Almost one year later in October 1988 celebrating Grandpa Raymond’s birthday! Left to right, Mike, Dawn, Marc, Grandpa, Jon, Jason, Rod, Syd (me) & Ray! Fun times! 

More friends of Jon’s! At Grandpa Raymond’s tenant Alan’s basement apartment with Mike, Alan, Grandpa, Ray and Rod (me).  And that was just the beginning of Jon’s close relationship with the Mosca’s…Grandpa and Raymond (Ray) throughout his life. 

December 1986
Who just dropped in at our neighborhood get together dressed in a suit and tie? Ray Mosca, that’s who! After a jazz gig, I imagine! All the usual suspects are snuggled up together on the couch! Oh the good old days!

2/14/87  Celebrating Rod’s 17th Birthday 
Mom (Syd), Michael, Jon (Back row)
Jason,  Marc and Rod (that’s me!)

Family and Friends Together in Good Times
All Dog Lovers
Tony, Mike & Jon with Max!
5-11-86

Chris, Jon, Mike & Rod (that’s me) with baby bro Jason in 1985! Pretty cool guys! Or so we thought!

New Year’s Eve 1985
The Main Crew celebrating the coming New Year 1986 minus Gio!
Jon, Chris, Marc, Rod and Mike!

Same day in 1985! Jason strikes a pose as Rod tries his hand at the guitar to the pleasure (or is it amazement) of Mike and Jon! It’s hard to read the looks on their faces! 

Jon, me and Mike…the 3 Musketeers from the time we were little ones…beginning at 3 and 4  until we were joined by our neighborhood boys…Marc, Gio & Chris! 
The Main Crew…through Thick or Thru Thin.
The above photo from 1986 at Ray’s house in Glen Head!

Jon was my cousin. He was an amazing guy. He always greeted us with a smile. I will always remember an evening we all went to hear his mom, Sheri, enter a Karoke contest. Jon had us laughing and having so much fun. His mom won the contest and we all celebrated.  We miss him and will always love him.  

I wish I had more pics of Jon and I but I don't so all those pictures of all those special times will have to live in my head. I'll just use the cropped version of this one, sorry to cut you out Rod. I have lots of Jon stories I still need to tell. I'll start with this one, the first time Jon saved me. I had been homeless or the cool way to put it, living out of a backpack and couch surfing for a long while. Late one night I was wandering the streets for what seemed like forever, I had just run out of a super sketchy situation where I had been crashing. I was cold, kinda freaked out and didn't know where I was headed. I made my way toward the Fleet street fields so I could hide up there for a while to try to calm down and figure out my next move. I heard a "yo, what's up?" in the distance. It was Jon. He and the Kaye clan were moving again, as it seemed like they always were those days. I tried to play it cool like I was all good but Jon saw right through that, even as a kid he saw what most don't like empathy was his super power. Even as I tried to leave and scurry away he was like dude, come with me it's okay don't worry you can hangout as long as you like. 
We walked up the narrow staircase into the house where a whirlwind of moving was happening. Kym, Tony, were gathering their things. Jason was playing a game and Sherri was, well Sherri, kinda out of control having a meltdown about the move and her stuff. But for me it was the calmest I had been in weeks. I'm not sure what I would have done to myself if I had made it to the Fleet street fields but I wasn't thinking about waking up the next day. So yeah, little Jonny Ross saved my life that night. It wasn't the last time he would, but it was the last time I or anyone could call him little but he always had the biggest heart. Miss you brother.  

Our Doberman Mike and his sister, Katie, or as Jon called her, Daughter!
The story of Katie’s rescue is told in my memory below! 
Pictured below on the couch in my living room in 1997 is left to right;
Rod, Tony holding Katie, Syd, Kym, Quinn, Jason and Jon with his arm around Mike! Another fun family gathering! 

Jon was an avid lover and caretaker of pets all his life. It was the early ‘90’s, a cold, snowy night, when Jon heard a dog barking outside our house! After opening the front door, my mom and Jon saw a young frightened, tan and white little dog on the front steps. John’s first words were “let’s get this little girl out of the cold.” When I came home a short time later there was my Katie sharing our Doberman Mike’s bed. Katie was the light of my life for the next 20 years. Jon would come over all the time and see her. He called her daughter.
In 2012, in a beautiful Veterinarian Hospital in Marblehead, MASS, I had to put Katie down. I remember being in complete despair that evening when I got a call from Jon to say how sorry he was!  We hadn’t been in contact as of late, so it really meant so much! He knew what Katie meant to me and I knew what she meant to him. That was one of the hardest days of my life and Jon was there for me like he was all my life!

Jon, never without strumming on his bass at our family gatherings, seated with Marc, Aunt Syd and Ray.

August 15, 1983, at the club The Red Blazer on W. 46th Street, Manhattan. Jon, giving his support, along with Kym and Anthony, to his Mom, Sheri and Aunt Syd (that’s me) who both performed that day with pianist Don Edmonds and not pictured, clarinetist Sol Yaged and drummer Sam Ulano!

Jon, setting up for his own gig in 1994, with Rod on drums and good friend Gandhi giving a helping hand!

If Jon wasn’t performing himself, as he was in 1997, singing and playing bass with Ritchie Rye on keyboards, Andrew Muller on guitar and cousin Rod on drums, he was hanging with other musicians, both rock and roll and jazz greats, as shown in photos below. And he was always there to lend a helping hand to other musicians, or to his mom, singer Sheri Kaye, or his aunt, singer Syd Livingston!

1998 summer fun at Ray’s  beach in Glen Head! I’m sure Jon got some jazz tips from Ray’s other 2 jazz musicians at the party that day,  drummer Angelo Ferrara on the left end and bassist Nobby Totah on the right end! Also enjoying the conversation, Kitty’s mom, Kay Creminini, and  Ray’s nephew Mike,  and Erica!

The above photo from dinner at  my house in 1995 with my nephew Jon, niece Kym, me and Ray, will help illustrate Jon’s sly humor! When we would seat ourselves at the table, Jon never failed to walk as closely as he could to my prized “Gone With the Wind” plates displayed on the wall right behind him and yell “Watch out for the plates!” But he was repeating what I had said after I hung them with care, of course, with more personality and charm! And he always got a lot of laughs! But it never ceased to amaze me how Jon seemed to float through the air, never causing one plate to fall to the floor! But that was my Jon…the trickster,  always funny but loving!

My nephew, Jon and I always had our own close relationship, sometimes serious, sometimes comical, but he always supported and encouraged me in any project in which I was involved, no matter how large, small or crazy it was. He often came with me to one of my singing gigs to help set up the stage, film, or just to give me moral support. Jon always told me to think outside the box, stretch out, don’t be afraid to try new things, reach for the stars. 

Jon, I will always keep you and these memories in my heart. 

Jon, you’ve gone ahead to a place I know nothing about. You were always many steps ahead of me. You and I, the little ones,  grew up on Harrow Street listening to Kiss. As teens when we lived across the street from each other, we’d go to our secret spot between Austin Street and the railroad tracks and hang out together. We sat on a bench, hidden away by bushes and trees. The trains would go by as people walked up and down Austin. They couldn’t see us. We thought that was so cool! Thank you for always seeing me till the end. I’m left here walking in your footsteps. Love you, my greatest brother.  Rodiblu

The musical influence of Ray Mosca was tremendous! Jon spent most of his childhood around Ray and their close relationship continued throughout Jon’s life. Ray took his nephew Michael, Rod and Jon, as well as my daughter Quinn and Jon’s sister Kym, to many of his gigs. This exposed Jon to Jazz and expanded his musical taste to a new genre of music, in addition to his love for Rock and Roll.

One fond memory is when Ray was working steadily with the Dorothy Donegan Trio in the late 1980’s and took me and Rod and Jon to a gig at the famous Jazz Club, the Village Vanguard in the East Village. Ray sat us at a table next to the bandstand and his drums, and to experience this amazing trio in this intimate, downstairs club among a sold out crowd where hundreds of other Jazz greats had performed, made a tremendous impact on Jon and Rod. Jon was mesmerized by the Bassist and Rod by Ray’s drums!

This was just one of the many times Ray took Jon and Rod to one of his gigs. And in the last 20 years Jon would often meet Ray at a gig and help him unload and set up his drums.  When Ray was working with the Mike Longo Trio (Dizzy’s pianist) at the NY Baha’i Center in the Village, this became a common occurrence.  He not only helped Ray but assisted Bassist Paul West with his Bass or helped Mike and his wife Dottie set up the stage in any way he could! That’s the kind of guy Jon was. And he took great pleasure in doing so.

Jon inherited his musical talents from his mom, Sheri, and her twin sister, Jon’s Aunt Syd, that’s me! We began singing professionally at 8 years old in Oklahoma and Texas after our mom, Jon’s Nana Jo, a singer herself with bands, sat us at the piano when we were 3 years old and taught us how to harmonize.  After High School we continued our singing career in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Las Vegas, touring the US with the Si Zentner Band and eventually in New York, where Sheri met her husband to be, Murray Kaye, Jon’s dad!

And Jon’s best buddy while growing up, my son Rod, also contributed to Jon’s love for music. Rod, following in the footsteps of his dad, Ed Caccavale, a professional drummer, and Jazz drummer, Ray Mosca, my man for most of Jon’s life, was very seldom without a pair of drumsticks in his hands. And Jon’s older brother, Tony, also inherited the music gene, and played the guitar. So it was only natural that Jon, surrounded by singers and musicians, would follow their lead. But the bass and guitar were Jon’s love and he also had a terrific singing voice.

Add to this equation, the Forest Hills neighborhood kids who were also into music, and it was inevitable that they would all start a band, or more!


My brother, Jonathan Roy Kaye, Jonny, Jon Ross, 84, JK, Jon, you were the best human being ever!! You were kind, generous, funny, extremely smart and had the memory of an elephant. You were an extremely gifted self taught musician. You were loving and had a gentle soul. You weren’t always a big guy but your heart always was. Your body just needed to catch up to the size of your heart, and your hands 😉 And boy, did it ever, your 17th summer. You loved being a big guy standing at 6'4"! You were the best uncle to my daughters. Thank you 💗 You were my first friend and truly my best friend.. We walked through life together. I can’t imagine life without you. You gave so much of yourself and all you wanted to do was to enjoy life and for the people around you to enjoy life, to learn, laugh, love, fill your heart and soul with music and to help people along the way. Don't be shy, we hug in this family and have more fun later.  We were supposed to have more time to have real fun later and get to the good stuff here. I pray my dear brother you are having endless moments of all of that, you kept sending me signs, I make you proud and you greet me on the other side 💕

Halloween 1984 at Aunt Syd’s!
Jon, Jason, Melissa and Rod.

October 1984 at Grandpa Raymond’s!
Jason, Mike, Grandpa, Rod and Jon.

Halloween 1984 with Rod and Jon!
Let the Force be with you!

Party on in 1984!
Jon, Frank, Kym, Quinn, Rod, Diane & Tony.

June 17, 1984 - Kym’s Birthday 
Quinn, Kim Hochstadt, Rod, Aunt Syd & Jon
Jason & Kym

October 1983, Grandpa Raymond’s Birthday at Syd’s house!
Sheri, Lilly, Nana Jo, Jason, Jon, Grandpa, Kym, hidden by the hanging light, Quinn, Rod and Eddie


OBITUARY

Jonathan Roy Kaye

June 25, 1971 – September 18, 2022

Frederick Funeral Home

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