Deceased March 7, 2021

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In Memory

Jay Sendzik, a lifelong resident of Brick Township, N.J., passed away on March 7, 2021. He is survived by his wife, Maria Mageros Sendzik; his daughter, Katie; and five adoring grandsons. He was their favorite storyteller and will be missed greatly by his family and by the entire community of Brick, where he founded his law firm in 1977 after graduating from Delaware Law School at Widener University. He was also an active and admired civic volunteer who co-founded Brick United, which provides scholarships to worthy high school students.

Jay met his future wife, Maria, while substitute teaching in Brick in 1971, where he had also been a well-known high school athlete. They were happily married for 45 years and had two children, including Joseph, who died tragically in an auto accident at 27. But Jay was happy and proud when his daughter, Katie, became a lawyer and joined Sendzik and Sendzik in 2004 as his partner. Their practice represents many municipal agencies throughout New Jersey, with a specialty in fire districts.

Jay loved golf and hiking, in particular the Appalachian Trail, as well as flea markets and antiques. He also loved his family and would frequently come home with gifts for Maria, such as an antique Singer sewing machine because she’s an avid quilter. On the day he died, peacefully at his desk, at the place he called his “fortress of solitude,” Jay had just given Maria a bag full of decorative old thimbles, something she’ll cherish forever. I guess she’ll literally and metaphorically be able to keep him “under her thumb” every time she uses them! She said he had lost touch with Amherst but had wonderful memories of his years there and his friends from DU. May you rest in peace, good brother.

Mark Dickinson ’69