Jay Theodore Kaufman

Jay Theodore Kaufman passed away peacefully at home on October 27, 2023, at the age of 90. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, he loved family, basketball, books, libraries, good beer, and travel.
Born in Bellingham, WA to Ted and Jean Kaufman, he was the oldest of four children. He went to what is now Western Washington University to become a teacher. After teaching in Washington, Jay taught in Japan and then France, where he met his first wife, fellow teacher Mary Ann O’Hare. After marrying in Switzerland, Jay and Mary lived in France, Japan, New Mexico, and finally settled in Foster City, CA. Jay taught math at Borel Middle School for over twenty years, and he and Mary raised two daughters. After Mary Ann died in 1989, Jay found love again and married Shirley (Roberson) in 2002. Jay and Shirley loved to travel and enjoyed trips to France, Denmark, and Nepal to visit family, river cruises in Eastern Europe and China, an exploration of the Galapagos and Alaska, and vacations with friends in many states. Jay loved basketball and continued to play the game into his eighties.
Jay leaves behind his loving wife Shirley, his daughters Kathleen Kaufman of Santa Monica, and Elizabeth Meeks (Jack) of San Francisco, step-daughters Kim Roberson (Serge Koenig) of France, and Marika Roberson of Oakland, siblings Alice Eis, Jerry Kaufman, and Jack Kaufman, and his adoring grandchildren Sally and Daisy Meeks, Jasper and Elysee Roberson-Schulz, and Petra Koenig.
A celebration of Jay’s life will be held Sunday, March 3 from 1pm-5pm at the American Legion Post 7 (1688 W. Bakerview Rd., Bellingham).
You may share memories at www.westfordfuneralhome.com .