Jay Besche: ‘Mayor of Surpriseville’
James V. "Jay" Besche departed this world Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021. Jay was a wonderful father, grandfather, brother, son, uncle and friend.
Jay was born Jan. 13, 1955, in Baltimore, Md., the second of Richard and Dolores Besche’s five children. In the 1960s, Jay's family moved to the Eastern Shore and started Besche Furniture in Georgetown. Jay graduated from Sussex Central High School in 1973. He opened a business in Rehoboth Beach called the Sub Factory, where he and his friends are said to have held court on the Boardwalk. Later, Jay joined the family furniture business as a salesman and manager. He worked for the Cape Gazette in Lewes, then for the U.S. Census Bureau until retirement.
All who knew our joyous Jay were set at ease by his joke telling, beautiful good nature and vibrant personality. Jay was a man of faith in God, a living testimony for the love of Christ in his life.
Jay is survived by his mother Dolores Besche of Rehoboth Beach; daughter Virginia Walczak (husband Mark) of Nashville, Tenn.; son John Besche, a senior at Yale University; daughter Colleen, a sophomore at Clemson University; granddaughters Poppy and Goldie Walczak; brothers Mike and Tom Besche of Georgetown; sisters Christine Besche (husband Chuck) of Lewes; and Cindy Ockels (husband Rich) of Milton; his dear lifelong friends Joni Dempsey, mother of Virginia, and Mary Anne Besche, mother of John and Colleen. Jay is preceded by his father Richard Besche of Georgetown.
Jay will be deeply missed by his friends and family members. He loved the Baltimore Ravens, completing crossword puzzles without help from the internet, his role as life of the party, his dark sense of humor, and his weekly Jeopardy dates with his mother – perhaps most of all a Washington Post and Starbucks coffee, poured in his own mug, which he said made him feel like the richest man in the world.
He was seen wearing his signature button-up shirt, jeans and flip-flops year-round. Jay’s children lovingly dubbed him "Mayor of Surpriseville,” Surpriseville being his answer to “Dad, where are we going?” on any given Saturday, as he was well known for taking his children and family on spontaneous trips to the city, the beach, sporting events, whitewater rafting, and museums, among other creative adventures. Jay, an armchair intellectual, saw the world optimistically with one caveat, you have to be yourself.
His instructions to those wishing to mourn him: “Surprise Me!”
Services for Jay will be held at Saint Edmond Catholic Church, King Charles Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Saturday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m.
