Jay McHale,77, passed away peacefully on March 20, 2018 with his loving family by his side.

Jay was born in Lowell, MA, on August 2, 1940, to Norbert McHale and Sophia McHale (nee Wilk).  Growing up, he attended Lowell Public Schools, Class of 1958, and was the star catcher for Lowell High School's baseball team.  Although he left Lowell in 1960s, the city and its people would have a tremendous influence on his life and career.

Jay attended St. Anselm's College, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1963. At St. Anselm's, he was instrumental in starting the college's first tennis team, of which he was Captain, and enjoyed exploring new forms of artistic expression, something he would return to later in life. After graduating, he taught one year at Salem High School before earning a Master of Arts in English at Northeastern University, where he met lifelong friends and future colleagues. His additional graduate coursework at Boston University and UMASS Amherst deepened his appreciation of both modern and contemporary American authors.

In 1966, Jay was hired by the English Department at Salem State College, the start to his distinguished career of 46 years teaching British and American Literature, the Short Story, and his signature course "Jack Kerouac and the Beat Generation," one of the first and longest-running courses on the author. In 1973, Jay organized and moderated the first academic conference on Jack Kerouac after his death in 1969. Jay's contributions to Beat Studies, to name a few, include moderating or participating as a panelist at several "Lowell Celebrates Kerouac" festivals, creating a short film on the Jack Kerouac Commemorative site in Lowell as well as writing and presenting his scholarship on the author at academic conferences throughout the nation.  In addition to Beat Studies, Jay enjoyed contributing to the Salem State's journal, The Sextant , and wrote several articles on Kerouac as well as poet and friend Tom Sexton, regional topics such as jazz at Lennie's on the Turnpike, and the maritime paintings of Salem's Philip von Saltza.  He also co-wrote a play, Ulster '71 , about the fight for Northern Ireland.

Besides serving on several academic committees throughout his tenure at Salem State, for several years Jay was active in the Mass Teacher's Association. He served as President of the Mass State College Association's Salem Chapter from 1977 to 1984 and as Secretary from 1984 to 1988. He served on the MTA's Board of Directors from 1996-2002 and was Chair of the MTA's Higher Education Leadership Council. From 2005-2012, Jay served on the Executive Board of MSCA, Salem Chapter. Jay fought for the rights of students and teachers alike.

While Jay enjoyed his administrative commitments, his true passion was in the classroom. His former student and good friend from Germany recalls him as "the epitome of a dedicated, knowledgeable, and inspiring professor." Jay was admired by many students for igniting their intellectual curiosity but also challenging them to think critically. He was respected by many students for his academic rigor and for keeping his standards high. He was always eager to organize class trips to Lowell and oversee student research on the Beats. In 2012, Jay formally retired from Salem State but continued to contribute to academia. In 2013, he taught his last seminar on Jack Kerouac—a capstone in his career as he organized the 40 ^th anniversary of the '73 Kerouac Symposium.  He continued to enjoy guest-lecturing on Kerouac to visiting international students and graduate students as well as contributing to oral history and autobiographical Beat projects for Salem State library archives.

Jay also offered his time to his local community and savored moments with close friends and family. In 1992, he served as co-Chair for the Salem Witch Trial Tercentenary and coached a Salem Little League team for two years.  He was enchanted by the beauty of nature during a round of golf but was always a fiery and ready opponent for a game of tennis.  A skilled sailor, he entertained many aboard The Harr and his last sailboat, the Calcanea . Jay and his wife, Jessica, enjoyed traveling, discovering local history, researching and writing together, birding along Forest River and Winter Island, and quiet time at home. For the last two years, they worked to revive Jay's artistic talents and organized an art show, bringing to fruition one of his lifelong dreams. Jay sketched several portraits for family and friends, discovered a flair for colorful animals, and reflected on his faith and his Polish heritage in his depictions Our Lady of Czestochowa, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and the Resurrected Christ.

Jay has been brought into the Beatific Vision. But his stimulating intellect, delightful sense of humor, and ebullient spirit remain alive. We will carry him in our hearts, present among both our ordinary and eccentric encounters.

Jay is survived by wife Jessica M. Jarvis McHale; his sister Norberta Reilly and her husband Thomas Reilly of Wayland, MA;  his godchild and niece Mary Ellen "Mimi" Eldridge and husband George of Wellesley; his niece Karen Quirk and husband Kevin; nephew Thomas Reilly and his wife Maureen; his nephew James Reilly and his wife Cara; his family in-law in Gloucester, MA; several cousins and many other relatives and close friends.  He was predeceased by his brother, Mark McHale.

Visiting hours will take place on Monday March 26, 2018 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Murphy Funeral Home, located at 85 Federal St Salem. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday March 27, 2018 at 10:00 AM at the Immaculate Conception, located at 15 Hawthorne Blvd, Salem. Memorial contributions can be made in Jay's honor to Mary, Queen of the Apostles Parish, located at 15 Hawthorne Blvd, Salem. For more information or online guestbook, please visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com or call 978-744-0497.