Jay Palefsky

Jay Palefsky, a dynamic teacher, artist, and artrepreneur, lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday, July 7, 2021.  Jay resided in the woods of Garrison, NY with his wife, Marilyn, where they raised two children, several pets, and many questions about life and starting a business.  Jay died peacefully in the post-and-beam home he built over 40 years ago. His family was with him, loving and caring, till the end.

Born and raised in the Bronx, Jay attended the School of Visual Arts in NYC, and graduated with a degree in art education from the University of Miami in Florida and SUNY New Paltz. Jay was passionate about inspiring his art students at Lakeland High School in NY, where he developed his motto, "learn the rules, and break them.”

After teaching art for more than two decades, he packed his bags to pursue life as an “artrepreneur,”  with a steadfast commitment to doing things differently. In Jay’s words, "This artistic journey has taken me to a world where my right artventive mind has met my left computive brain." He believed that “between reality and illusion the artist builds a bridge of creativity . . . and an adventure begins." Jay is known for creating pieces via a unique concept of interactive art that he called Morphicism.

Jay relished meeting everyone who entered his shop, asking them about their lives, jobs, and interests — explaining he would always remember them by their conversations. Often customers would leave feeling they had found a new friend, and would return with a "remember me?"  Jay’s warmth, enthusiasm and ability to talk ran through every aspect of his life, leaving a "feel good feeling" with everyone who met him.

Jay is survived by his loving wife and devoted partner Marilyn, son Joshua, daughter Sarah, and brother Howard. A memorial service will be held on August 1st at 2:00 pm.followed by a reception at the St. Philips Church in Garrison, NY.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends make donations to the charity of their choice, or to the Highlands Choral Society at PO Box #273, Garrison, NY, 10524. Parking for the memorial will be limited.

Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to Clinton Funeral Home- Cold Spring.  www.clintonfh.com