John ‘Custard’ Jay remembered by his big family amid heartbreaking loss
The Jay family has fondly remembered a caring husband and dad after a car crash, saying “it’s hard knowing Dad will never walk through the front door with his goofy toothless smile”. READ THEIR HEARTFELT TRIBUTE >>
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The Jay family have fondly remembered a caring husband and dad who tragically died in a car crash, saying “it’s hard knowing Dad will never walk through the front door with his goofy toothless smile”.
John Tscherkaskyj, known warmly as John Custard Jay, had been a Mercury newspaper delivery driver for years, but would not return home after his route through Gordon River Rd, Glenora was disrupted by a head-on collision with another vehicle in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The 56-year-old passed away at the scene, leaving behind a wife Kellie Jay, 13 children, and his grandchild Ruby.
Daughter Samantha Jay described John as “loving and caring”.
“Dad was always known for his flannelette shirt and his hat that was definitely overdue to be thrown away,” she said.
Samantha and her siblings collectively said “dad, you will always be here with us in our hearts”.
Kellie Jay said she was “so lost without” her husband.
“I wish we had more time together,” she said.
“The hardest part about him being gone is that the kids will never see their father, I won’t see my husband and his grandchild will never see her pop.
“He was taken away from us and friends way too soon.”
But the family’s pain was intermingled with special memories of John Tscherkaskyj, who “loved his job” and was “a man of many talents” like ice hockey and roller hockey.
“Boy did he know how to skate and shoot a puck – the amount of times he’d come home with bruises and just laugh the pain off,” Kellie Jay said.
Generosity has shone through the tragedy, with a GoFundMe page set up by Krystal Turner on Sunday evening.
Ms Turner is the close friend of Kellie Jay, Mr Tscherkaskyj’s wife.
“Today my best friend’s husband died in a horrible car accident,” Ms Turner wrote on the fundraiser web page.
“John … was a loving father and amazing man. Kellie is a wonderful mother that is lacking the funds to bury her husband.”
So far more than $10,00 has been raised from nearly 128 donors – a moving gesture the family deeply appreciates.
“To everyone who has sent their messages of support and surrounded us with love, thank you,” Kellie Jay said.
“There are too many people to name. Our family really appreciates it.”
Fundraiser helps Tassie family bury beloved father
August 9, 2021 12:40pm
The death of a Mercury delivery driver has sent shockwaves through the community, as donations flood into an online fundraiser to support the man’s wife and 13 children.
John Tscherkaskyj, known among friends as John Custard Jay, was delivering newspapers on Gordon River Rd, Glenora about 1.45am Sunday when his car collided with another vehicle on a slight bend.
The 56-year-old died at the scene.
The Goodwood man’s family has been left to grapple with the aftermath of the unexpected death.
But generosity has shone through the tragedy, with a GoFundMe page set up by Krystal Turner on Sunday evening.
Ms Turner is the close friend of Kellie Jay, Mr Tscherkaskyj’s wife.
“Today my best friend’s husband died in a horrible car accident,” Ms Turner wrote on the fundraiser web page.
“John … was a loving father and amazing man. Kellie is a wonderful mother that is lacking the funds to bury her husband.
“Please help this family in their time of need to help bury their father.”
So far more than $7000 has been raised from nearly 100 donors.
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Comments rolled in alongside the donations.
“This is an absolute tragedy,” Denise Fleming wrote.
“My deepest sympathy to this family.”
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