John J. Entwistle

Entwistle, John “Jay” – of Manhattan and Cotuit, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, April 15, 1932 – February 4, 2024. Jay was born in Trenton, New Jersey to John T. and Margaret C. Entwistle. He leaves his most beloved wife of 61 years Jean (Lyons) and sons John J. Jr. of San Francisco and Daniel J. of New York City.

Jay was a Veteran of the United States Air Force, on active duty from 1954 to 1957, honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. Following military service, Jay joined Johnson & Johnson where he served in senior management positions for 33 years. Upon retirement from Johnson & Johnson, Jay joined his wife’s shared work-space company as a principal. In 2000, Daniel J. Entwistle took over the business and Jay continued to serve as Secretary and Treasurer for the next 16 years. The Company’s success was very much attributable to Jay’s competency. After 59 years, Jay retired from commercial activities but never stopped working for others.

Jay lived a life of loyalty and service and was active in many charitable organizations. Among them, Campaign Chair and subsequently President of United Way of Princeton, NJ. He served as Board Chair of Rebecca Kelly Dance Company and then for over 25 years a Board Member, Treasurer and Vice-Chair of Dancing Classrooms, an organization that brings formal dance instruction into NYC public schools, teaching over a half million students. Jay served as Trustee of the Cotuit Library where the family maintains a summer residence. Jay also volunteered with the Catholic Medical Board aiding them in the acquisition and distribution of free medicines to Missionary hospitals.

An active equestrian, Jay organized a group of mounted volunteers to assist in maintaining the safety and security of NYC Parks. In 1995, with Parks Commissioner Henry Stern’s approval, the NYC Parks Auxiliary Mounted Patrol was founded and, to this day, patrols Central, Van Cortland and Clove Lake Parks.

Jay was the product of 16 years of Catholic education, graduating from St. Joseph’s University (Philadelphia) in 1954. Jay felt most strongly that it was those years that gave him the principles that forever guided his life. He also attended the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Jay enjoyed pursuing his athletic and many intellectual interests. An avid tennis player and downhill skier, he participated well into his late 80’s. A lifetime reader, he was passionate about literature. Jay enjoyed memberships in the Wianno Club and Beach Club (Cape Cod), Hillsboro Club (Florida) and the Union Club and Harvard Club of NYC.

Jay was a true Gentleman, a selfless person who always thought of others before himself. He had an abundance of wit and quiet charm. Though he will be sorely missed, his love and sense of decency will never be forgotten.

A Memorial Mass at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, NYC will be held on Saturday, April 6th , 2024 at 11am. Interment on Cape Cod will take place this summer.

Gifts in Jay Entwistle’s honor can be made to Dancing Classrooms, Attention: Development, 1350 Avenue of Americas, Second Floor, New York, NY 10019 or online at www.dancingclassrooms.org