Please RSVP for Mr. Wonderful's Celebration of Life on November 17th at Joe Jost's in Long Beach through the Events button.
We have created this GatheringUs memorial to celebrate his memory, collect stories and share photos. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
I met Jay when he and Maria started dating. We spent many hours discussing the African continent, drinking wine and whiskey. He always wanted to make a trip with me to Africa, especially the DRC, where I grew up. I'm sorry we never made it.
Rest well... moreI met Jay when he and Maria started dating. We spent many hours discussing the African continent, drinking wine and whiskey. He always wanted to make a trip with me to Africa, especially the DRC, where I grew up. I'm sorry we never made it.
We met in 1975, became good friends, and stayed in touch even as our lives went different ways. Years later he gave wise advice about my teenage son, telling me about another young man who did much the same stupid stuff.....himself. Jay assured me that... moreWe met in 1975, became good friends, and stayed in touch even as our lives went different ways. Years later he gave wise advice about my teenage son, telling me about another young man who did much the same stupid stuff.....himself. Jay assured me that things would turn out OK and they did. I loved Jay's humor and his tough resilience. He had much to teach. I'll miss him a great deal and am so sad to hear he has passed. less
-He gave me a lesson on how to eat a hamburger like a lady, cut it in half and use the toothpick.
-A gambling video game, told me you have to bet big money to win big money.
-Driving, he warned me about being aware of... moreRemembrances from Anna Bessent:
-He gave me a lesson on how to eat a hamburger like a lady, cut it in half and use the toothpick.
-A gambling video game, told me you have to bet big money to win big money.
-Driving, he warned me about being aware of kids. "Kids are stupid, stay away from them." I told a patient today why he should not drive after failing driving evaluation, "kids are stupid."
-He wanted to be reincarnated to be a Bessent dog.
-He questioned mom's movie rental selection after watching the movie Unfaithful.
-He seemed so happy after he met Miss Maria. less
What fun we had with Mr. Wonderful and Miss Maria celebrating Paul and Stephanie’s wedding. Jay was a part of our children’s lives from the very beginning. He is missed.
Some family you’re born with, others you choose, then there are the ones that sneak up on you and you feel like they just belong there. Jay Nelson was that to me. Thanks for all the good times, the whacky questions, the witty comebacks, and the... moreSome family you’re born with, others you choose, then there are the ones that sneak up on you and you feel like they just belong there. Jay Nelson was that to me. Thanks for all the good times, the whacky questions, the witty comebacks, and the comprehensive bar tending skills shown below. I will miss you Mr. Wonderful. less
Throughout the time I took care of Jay I got to know and love the man he was. My second day with him he asked me, “what do you know about stocks?” I replied “nothing” he then asked me to grab a pen and paper (we all know how many pens he had) and... moreThroughout the time I took care of Jay I got to know and love the man he was. My second day with him he asked me, “what do you know about stocks?” I replied “nothing” he then asked me to grab a pen and paper (we all know how many pens he had) and sit down. He then looked me dead in the face and said “you're going to learn today and I’m going to quiz you tomorrow and then if you pass I’ll teach you some more” We then, during following weeks bonded over the stock market, Judge Judy, Chinese food, and what he called his glory days! We also shared many laughs over a show called ridiculousness I introduced him to him he called it “the show of idiots.” He shared many stories and memories with me and I did the same. One of his absolute favorite stories was about a drinking video I had where a friend of my husband who is military made a beer bong out of an AT4 shell, he called everyone and told them that story, he thought it was the greatest thing and continued to laugh about it for multiple days to come. What I loved most about Jay was that he was a pen collecting, big-hearted, scotch drinking, tell it how it is kinda man and one who will be deeply missed. less
Olga FeldI met Jay many years ago through my very good friend, Maria. I remember one time our group met at the Hollywood Bowl, where we had a picnic. That day I realized how fun and witty Jay was, always a gentleman and very nice person to be around. Now he's... moreI met Jay many years ago through my very good friend, Maria. I remember one time our group met at the Hollywood Bowl, where we had a picnic. That day I realized how fun and witty Jay was, always a gentleman and very nice person to be around. Now he's in a better place, resting in peace.