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We Are Family—Jay Killackey

We Are Family—Jay Killackey
By Bobby Bock
NAPS Southeast Area Vice President

In March, we lost a distinguished member who once helped lead our organization. Jay Killackey—a friend to many, a mentor and former NAPS Executive Board member—died March 21.

When Jay initially was promoted to supervisor, he immediately joined NAPS and became active in Boston Branch 43. He served as branch vice president and president in the 1980s and 1990s. He also served a term as the Massachusetts State President. In 1998, Jay was elected to four terms as the New England Area vice president.

In 2006, Jay was elected to two terms as NAPS secretary/treasurer. In 2010, he was elected to serve two terms as NAPS executive vice president. In 2014, Jay returned to Massa-chusetts and his family.

In late 2023, Branch 43 was named the James F. Killackey/John Russell Branch in honor of these two fantastic members. This is the first time in NAPS history a branch was named after two living members.

I first met Jay 20 years ago at LTS. It was a privilege to see such dedication in a member. In 2010, I was honored to introduce my wife and daughter to the Killackey family at the national convention in Orlando. During the opening ceremonies, my daughter Mackenzie and Jay’s youngest daughter Jessalyn led the delegation in the Pledge of Allegiance. Since then, they have become lifelong friends.

Jay was extremely dedicated to his family. He had four daughters and nine grandchildren and loved to share stories about his family and their achievements. Most recently, he moved with his wife Suann, Jessalyn and her fiancé Curtis to a new home in a small farm town.

They moved their three horses, 17 chickens and two goats onto the property. Jay especially loved his horses and chickens and bringing his friends over to meet them and enjoy the small-town life of which he dreamed.

Jay’s optimism never wavered throughout his health issues. No matter the hardship, he was upbeat and would be there to help whoever needed him. Up until his death, Jay was in good spirits and wanted to do what he could to help his people.

The morning after his death, I received a phone call from a vendor whom I’ve met just once. She asked about Jay’s death and talked about the great advice he would give her and how thankful she was to have known him.

Jay was one of my best friends. I spoke to him three times a week at minimum; he always boasted about Suann and Jessalyn and how happy he was with his life.

Many members of the NAPS Executive Board attended Jay’s funeral; it was a pleasure to see the showing for this remarkable friend of mine. It was a privilege to see USPS Director of Labor Relations Policies & Programs Bruce Nicholson in attendance on behalf of the Postal Service.

Words cannot describe the hole in my heart from the passing of my dear friend Jay. The knowledge and wisdom he bestowed on his peers is timeless. His ever-lasting legacy will leave a notable impact on the generations of leaders and supervisors to come.

Please keep the Killackey family in your prayers.