Hi everyone:
The  video (left margin) is a tribute to Scott's mission and vision for  MBSHS alumni to enjoy and reconnect utilizing  the informative MBHS Alumni Association Official Website. Currently, and thanks to Scott, myself and the MBSHS Alumni Association Board of Directors; the database consists of approximately 7,500 Beach High alumni/members. Please click center arrow to play video. 

Warmest Regards,
Margie Schulman Alter '66 

THAT  TODAY  IS  SCOTTS   BIRTHDAY      BRINGS  BACK  MANY  MEMORIES      I   DO  SOOOOO  MISS   HIM   ANS  WELL AS   HIS SOUND  ADVICE      HE  HAD  PERFECT  WISDOM      WARM WIT   AND      ITS   STILL  SO  HARD  TO  BELIVE  THAT   HES  BEEN  GONE  FOR4  PLUS      MONTHS        I  WOULD  DO   THIS  VIA  PHONE  ILL  DO   THIS  HERE:    HAPPY   BIRTHDAY  TO  YOUUUUUUUUUUU   HAPPY   BIRTHDAY   TO   YOUUUU      HAPPY  BIRTHDAY  DEAREST   SCOTT   HAPPY   BIRTHDAY   TO  YOU                          I  MISS  YOU  DEARLY        CATHY   BROWN     FROM   MOBLIE   AL

Scott Jay grew up on Treasure Island, Miami Beach, in a family with little money-his father Abe had a small women's clothing store in Surfside, and his mother Selma was a homemaker when she wasn't helping Abe at the store. Scott had a happy childhood and, in the words of his sisters Vicki and Marla, he was a wonderful son, brother and uncle.  Scott was generous, and would do anything for his family.  He loved all of his sisters' children, and took them to ice skating shows and carnivals.  He was always a kid at heart, never losing that delight in the simplest of things.

Scott was extremely industrious all of his life, starting with a job at the age of 5, when he swept the floor of a candy store and bargained with the owner to receive comic books for his custodial services.  He had a paper route when he was 8 or 9 years old, and loved working at the Fun Fair arcade during his high school years.

At Camp Chatuga, Scott was the youngest camper on record, and repeated many summers, taking full advantage of all the activities.   Later on, he returned as a counselor, and made such an impression on the owner of the camp, that some 40 years later, the then 80 year old owner returned to camp in order to reconnect with Scott while he was visiting Jennifer on parents' day.

It is clear that Scott was a people person-He was a very good friend, had numerous long term friendships, and many considered Scott to be their best friend.  He always was ready to help other people. A true mensch, when his father became ill, Scott returned to Miami Beach to be near him, and finished college at Florida International University.

He worked in resort hotels, and had a career in food service, when Vicki urged him to apply to law school.  Ever industrious, during his first two years of Widener Law School in Delaware, he worked full-time-his heels gathering no moss.

Marita and Scott met when she was selling insurance, and he needed a policy.  Marita noticed that Scott was peeking at her through the door, and she then proceeded to turn a 10 minute application into an hour-long interrogation-asking many extra questions to evaluate risk-thereby elongating the appointment! That very day, Scott invited Marita for a drink, enticed her on a beach walk with cotton candy, reached for her hand, shared dinner with her and the two of them slow danced the night away.  Marita knew that she had met the man she would marry.  After her 3 proposals, and a couple of years, he finally proposed, and they married, and worked together side by side for 22 of their 27 years as husband and wife.  One of Scott's sweetest pleasures was listening to his beloved Marita sing, and she did serenade him in recent days while he lay on his hospital bed.

And on their 3rd anniversary, they welcomed Jennifer into the world. Jennifer was Scott's joy watching her grow up, dance and skate-and cheering on the only girl on the boys hockey team at the Pinecrest School, this proud member of the Father's Club gave his time to help the hockey team, and attended every game in which Jennifer played-even when she was able to drive herself to the games-that's how proud of her he was, and how much she meant to him.

Scott was honest and well respected by the legal community.  But, he was very modest and low-key and never sought recognition.  He let other people take credit for his mitsvahs. Scott would do the job because he wanted the results.

He tirelessly worked on countless projects for many civic associations, always to benefit others and other communities.

The Jaycees

The Miami Beach Bar Association

The Miami-Dade County Community Council

The Skylake and Highland Lakes Homeowners Association

The Miami Beach High Alumni Association

even Grade School Reunions

The North Dade and Beaches Real Estate Council-which he founded in 2008 in order to educate younger attorneys in real estate.  President for two years, he then encouraged others to step up, in order to empower them.

And, as past president and board member of:of The Florida Lawyers Legal Insurance Corporation-he maintained that people should have accessible, quality legal insurance, and that all who need legal help should be able to get it!

He was generous and compassionate.  Scott took on lots of clients who could not pay him, or who just paid him what they could. When he handled adoptions, he charged only his cost. And he did this quietly, not telling anyone.  He belivered that adoption was the greatest gift a lawyer could give to someone.

In the spirit of helping people help themselves, he built wells in Vietnam, and took quiet personal pride when seeing photos of villagers gathered around a well that said " Scott Jay"-Attorney."

In late summer and early fall, Scott would hit the Office Max and Walgreens stores, buying backpacks and school supplies to fill them-and distribute them to the local elementary schools.

And his shoppping didn't stop there.  Scott loved going clubbing with his buds Steve and Paul-to Sam's Club, BJs or Costco-comparing prices and finding the best deals-often for the community.

In his younger days, Scott had a fiery temper and a stubborn streak.  But, these were often reflections of his passion on behalf of someone else, not himself.  And his high morals dictated to him that right was right-even if it meant that he might be monetarily disadvantaged.  Jennifer says, "He always had an answer for everything-he always knew what to do."

In closing, I would like to read a poem entitled Ascension by Colleen Hitchcock:

And, if I go while you're still here, know that I live on, vibrating to a different measure behind a thin veil through which you cannot see.  You will not see me, so you must have faith.  I wait for the time when we can soar together again, both aware of each other.  Until then, live your life to its fullest.  And, when you need me, just whisper my name in your heart.  I will be there for you as you have been here for me.

Zichrono liv'rachah, may the memory of Scott Jay be a blessing for us all.

Kein y 'hi ratson- may this be  G-d's will.