Cranbury Obituary: Walter Gay, 87

Walter Gay, 87, of Cranbury and Barnegat Light, NJ, a gentleman as well as a gentle man, died at home on Oct. 15, 2013. When further medical intervention was no longer a possibility, Walter accepted his fate and died as he lived his life, with dignity and grace.

Born in Norwich, CT, Walter was predeceased by his parents, Jessie and Edwin M. Gay, as well as his first wife, Shirley Brown Gay, the mother of his children. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Herrick Gay of Cranbury; his daughters, Sara Gay Adams and son-in-law, Mark Adams of Stonington, CT and Park City, UT; Dr. Deborah Ann Gay of Old Tappan, NJ, and his son, Christopher A. Gay and daughter-in-law, Karen Cahill Gay of Warrington, PA; three grandchildren, Jason Adams, Kelly Adams and her husband, Ryan Devlin-Perry, and Kevin Gay, as well as two great-grandchildren, Burke and Olivia.

Having served in the United States Army, Walter attended Brown University on the GI Bill, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in his junior year, and graduated magna cum laude in 1950, with a bachelor's degree in economics. After having embarked on a career as a factoring executive which spanned more than 40 years, Walter earned a law degree as an evening student at Fordham Law School.

He retired in 1993, as a senior vice president of Midlantic Commercial Co., the factoring subsidiary of Midlantic Banks, Inc. Walter served on the board of education, as well as the borough council and the zoning board of adjustments in Old Tappan, NJ, where he lived prior to moving to Cranbury.

In accordance with his wishes Walter will be cremated and no service will take place. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cranbury Public Library Foundation, 23 N. Main St., Cranbury, NJ 08512. Arrangements are under the auspices of Barlow & Zimmer Funeral Home, 202 Stockton St., Hightstown, NJ.