Jay Gajdostik, 54 of Oregon, Ohio passed away peacefully on Friday, November 24, 2023 after a 4 1⁄2 year courageous battle with cancer. Jay was born in Elkhart, Indiana on January 30, 1969 to Joseph and Judith (Mittendorf) Gajdostik. Jay graduated from Cardinal Stritch High School in 1987. He was a recipient of the Evans Scholarship and attended Miami University for 2 years before deciding to join the professional painters union. He started his painting career with Charles F. Mann Company. He then went to work for OCP, where he was a foreman. During this time he made many close friends and was highly respected for his work. In 2009 he started his own painting company which kept him busy until he became ill. Jay's number one priority was always his family, and being a dad was his most cherished role (until Evelyn Rose was born). This past September he was blessed to be able to meet his first grandchild, Evelyn Rose. He was always a dependable playmate when his children were small. Whether it was swimming, sledding, or playing in the sandbox, he loved every minute of it. He never missed a school or sporting event. He helped coach whenever he could. As they got older, he always came to their rescue, even if he had to drive an hour to get there. It didn't matter what the crisis was, he knew exactly what to do. For his family, he was their knight in shining armor. His sense of humor was one of his greatest assets. His quick wit filled every conversation with laughter. He will be missed tremendously by his family and many, many friends. A longtime friend described Jay as the "the most loving and entertaining man I have ever met."

Surviving are his loving wife, Beth; children Regan (Jordan) Nuckols; Grant (Austyn Badenhop) Gajdostik, Harrison (Jenna Foco) Gajdostik; granddaughter, Evelyn Rose Nuckols; mother, Judy Gajdostik; siblings, Jeffrey (Lynn) Gajdostik, Joseph (Jodi) Gajdostik, Jodi (Chris) Yager, Janell (Jason) Toth. Jay was preceded in death by his infant son, Erin Jay and his father, Joe Gajdostik.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 29 and Thursday Nov. 30 from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Oregon Chapel, 440 S. Coy Road, Oregon, Ohio. Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Thursday at 7:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Dec. 1, at 10:00 am in St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 212 N. Stadium Rd., Oregon, Ohio where the family will greet friends beginning at 9:00 am. Interment will follow in St. Ignatius Cemetery.

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy in Jay's memory are asked to consider St. Ignatius Catholic Church or St. Meinrad Archabbey.