Jesus "Jay" Manuel Reyes

Jesus "Jay" Manuel Reyes, age 66, returned to the Loving Arms of the Lord on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at his Seymour residence, surrounded by love. Jay is the loving husband of Astrid C. Reyes; his wife of 37 years. He was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico; son of the late Pedro and Hortencia Reyes. He proudly served in the United States Armed Forces with the highest integrity wherever he was assigned. He worked for United Illuminating, then changed careers and spent the next 20 years as a dedicated Corrections Officer for the State of Connecticut until his retirement. Jay was a modern day renaissance man. He eased his way through the kitchen and easily transitioned into his tool belt to tackle a range of projects around the house. He was detailed oriented and took great pride in his crafts. He was a loyal fan of the Washington "Redskins" who donned his uniform every game day to support his team through the good and the bad. Jay was also an accomplished musician, sharing his gift of playing the bass with salsa fans near and far. He jammed with numerous salsa bands in the area. Jay's personality was greater than his stature. He was an animated story teller who captivated everyone's attention. When he had a conversation with someone his eyes would light up, the inflection in his voice grew and his body gestures were used to elaborate his points. He always had a positive attitude on life which he maintained during his recent illness. More than anything, he was a dedicated husband, father, and friend. Aside from the great love of his life, Astrid, Jay leaves behind his loving sons Andres M. (Melissa Ann) Reyes and Daniel Enrique (Stephanie Gregory) Reyes; his adoring grandchildren Bella Rose, Sofia, Antonio and Lillian Reyes; his caring siblings Maria (Richard) Zambito, Pedro (Iris) Reyes, Carmen (Alberto) Delgado, Rosa (Michael) Martinez, Jorge (Danielle) Reyes and Jose (Ruth) Reyes. He is also survived by many other family members and friends that will truly miss him. Friends are invited to attend Calling Hours on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Funeraria Luz de Paz, 426 E. Washington Ave. Bridgeport, CT 06608. His Funeral Service is scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 15 at 10 a.m. at the Funeral Home with a Mass of Christian Burial scheduled for 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 25 Sherman St. Bridgeport, CT 06608. His interment will follow at Mount St. Peter Cemetery, 219 New Haven Ave, Derby, CT 06418. Please explore his memorial page, where you may share your memories, prayers and so much more found EXCLUSIVELY at luzdepaz.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION REGARDING RESTRICTIONS due to COVID 19 (CURRENT) Regulations, restrictions and policy REQUIRED at all times within our facility! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The COVID-19 Virus, the rules, regulations, limitations, and everything that has been implemented and required by us all to implement, undoubtedly, has been challenging for all and funeral homes are not exempt from such plentiful rules and regulations. We want everyone to keep in mind, thus regulations and rules are made for the GENERAL well being and health of the public. In Connecticut we have had the bountiful Blessing to see that our efforts of committing to the guidelines set forth to prevent the exposure to the virus has not gone unrewarded, BUT we know and can clearly see around the world that getting too comfortable will only create the possibility to allow all of our efforts to become null and void and all the progress we have had, be destroyed. Our State once again moves on to open and return back to normal implementing each phase, the current guidelines have determined that during viewing and visitation, and Funeral Services and these guidelines are STRICTLY adhered to and all attendees are expected to adhere to such regulations during their visit or unfortunately will be required to request such person (s) to exit our facility for the safety of all. Under no circumstance can we permit our facility to become a place where others should feel nothing less than safe and welcomed. Therefore such are the things that all visitors are required to follow if intending to come into the facilities of the funeral home to join the family; - 64 persons or less would be the amount of persons permitted inside the funeral home at one given time -Anyone outside unable to enter during the service or whether capacity has been reached, will be able to hear the entre service and all announcements made throughout the evening. -anyone Inside the facility and even those outside creating the line down the back ramp to await others to exit to be granted the opportunity to enter it is REQUESTED that a 6 ft social distancing requirements be followed -Back entrance of the funeral home will be the EXCLUSIVE ENTRANCE AND EXIT throughout the entire viewing time. -Masks are REQUIRED TO ENTER -Masks are REQUIRED DURING THE ENTIRE STAY -Masks MUST cover the face and mouth during the entire stay (No exceptions) (anyone not covering their mouth and nose during their stay will be asked to leave immediately. PLEASE EVERYONE THIS IS FOR EVERYONE. -ALL FRIENDS are requested by the family and funeral home to come in when guided by funeral home staff, pay your respects, greet the family if you wish, the exit to the parking lot allowing others that may be in line to come in and do the same, BUT absolutely ONLY Blood relatives instructed by the family will remain inside the facility. Everyone's cooperation is what makes this possible and allows us to make this happen regardless of the restrictions and allowing everyone who loved, cherished and appreciated their loved one to come, pay their respects and all share time as a family, comfortably without having to go outside over and over to allow others to come in. Yet with everyone's cooperation, they remain inside as the extended family and everyone that comes through inspires them as the love that their loved one shared with each and everyone is supporting their hearts and minds with their presence and shared memories! We understand the cumbersome and uncomfortable nature of the wearing of masks, BUT: Consider this : YOU may run into someone ASYMPTOMATIC (they don't know, and you don't know) and suddenly your exposed because inside the building you decided, I don't like the mask covering my nose. YOU return home and expose your entire family including parents and even causing the death of someone dear to you, like a grandparent or parent as we just experienced with a family served, simply because you didn't want to be uncomfortable for 10 minutes which should be the maximum amount of time any friends would remain in the funeral home. Is it worth it? We may be young, we may be strong, and we may be "healthy" but maybe just maybe someone you run into is not and YOU are the reason they are now possibly exposed. It's not worth it, let us all work together while we are out to protect each other, protect our families, protect our homes until this invisible threat which has been a nightmare for so many, becomes a memory most want to forget! Let us work to keep the levels where they are and even lower with our help and God's guidance and blessing above all! PLEASE BE ADVISED THE ONLINE ACCESS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE IMMEDIATE NEXT OF KIN AND IF AVAILABLE IT WILL BE ACCESSIBLE TO EITHER PUBLIC ACCESS OR PRIVATE WITH A FAMILY GIVEN NUMBER AND BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW IF THEY DESIRE THE BROADCASTING OF SUCH WILL GRANT YOU THE ACCESS WHERE YOU CAN VIEW AND HEAR EVERYTHING HAPPENING WITHIN OUR FACILITY DURING THE SERVICE HOURS! Online Access to view the services live may be done by following directions below. Please know Viewing is DURING the viewing hours and we DO NOT record the service for later viewing! TO JOIN US VIA LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER -please make sure your computer is connected to the internet. -open your web browser to the following address..... zoom.us -upper right hand corner you will find a button which is labeled "Join a Meeting" -the meeting ID requested at the time will be 2033308081 -the password will be 7777 -final automated steps will occur with your permission granting such access on your system to view the services as they happen. Keep in mind it will only be during the service and will not be available after the service for viewing at a later Time. IF YOUR JOINING US VIA TABLET OR TELEPHONE (IOS OR ANDROID): -please visit the google play store or Apple app store -in your search bar enter Zoom cloud meetings -Download the app onto your unit -after downloading the app, press on the app to enter -click on the button , "Join a meeting" -enter the number 2033308081 which is the meeting code -enter the pass code: 7777