Obituary of Joseph "Jay" Geld

 

Joseph "Jay" Geld, 65, of Melbourne, Florida passed away peacefully on December 23, 2023 at home, with his loving wife and sons by his side.

 

Jay was born on December 14, 1958 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to the union of Frank J. and Anastasia (Mironik) Geld, where he resided with his sister (Frances) and brother (Philip) until moving to Key Largo, Florida.

 

During Jay's youth in Key Largo he learned many trades, loved fishing, and volunteered as a firefighter, thus discovering his passion for the fire service. Jay later moved to Brevard County where he started his formal firefighting career with Brevard County Fire Rescue. In March of 1988, he began his lifelong career with the City of Melbourne Fire Department. During his time there, he was heavily involved in the training division of new hires, as well as the continuous training for himself and his colleagues. Jay worked hard building various props used for firefighter safety at the Melbourne Fire Department Training Center and ran the driver development program. He retired honorably as a Lieutenant after 30 years of dedication and service to his community. Jay's passion and commitment in the education of firefighters and fire safety was not solely served at the Fire Department. During his career and after retirement, he provided 15+ years of education to the hard-working men and women at Florida Medical Training Institute and Eastern Florida State College.

 

Jay was an incredible example of strength, character, and compassion— a hero in every sense of the word, especially to his family. He took a genuine interest in the lives of everyone he met, bringing joy to those around him with his eternal optimism and charisma. Put simply, to know him was to love him. Jay loved golfing, fishing, endlessly tinkering with projects, helping others, and enjoying simple pleasures alongside his friends and family. He was the most loving and devoted husband, and an amazing father and grandfather. He loved his family fiercely, and above all, his greatest joy in life came from watching his grandchildren grow.

 

He will be deeply missed and always remembered in our hearts. Those left to cherish Jay’s memory: his wife, Jackie; children, JR (Nikki), Jason (Courtney), John, and Andy; grandchildren Rory, Brinn, Charlee, and Connor, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. He is predeceased in death by his parents and siblings.

 

The family would like to express their gratitude to the City of Melbourne Fire Department and the Melbourne Professional Fire Fighters Local 1951 for their continued and unwavering support during this difficult time.

 

Services are scheduled for February 17, 2024 at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church of Melbourne, 3301 Dairy Rd, Melbourne, Fl 32904. A Celebration of  Jay's Life will immediately follow the service at the Sid Kingery's Pavillion,3575 Hield Road, West Melbourne, Fl 32904.

 

In remembrance of Jay Geld's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the International Association of Fire Fighters, IAFF/American Cancer Society.       https://www.iaff.org