James (Jay) Bambery, died peacefully the morning of Jan. 18, 2012, after a long battle with cancer and the debilitating effects of Ataxia. His wife Carol, children and grandchildren were by his side. Preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Dorothy, brother, Donny, sisters, Liz and Trish, brother-in-law Ken and grandchildren Oliver and Spencer. Survived by his wife, Carol; step-mother, Genevieve; brothers, Tom, Jerry and Mick; sisters, Mary and Fran and their families; daughters, Kris (Tim) Hageman, Sara (Jim) Bingham; son, Shannon (Sondra) Bambery; and the grandchildren who brought so much joy to his life, Ben, Cooper and Matt Hageman, Lucy Bingham, Madeline, Caitlin and Tyler Bambery. Jay's life began in Lakeville in 1938, the oldest of nine children. He grew up and completed high school in Cloquet; received a BS from St. John's University in Collegeville and a MSW from St. Louis University in 1960. Jay settled down in St. Paul with his wife Carol and growing family to begin his 35 year career with the State Dept. of Human Services. He was widely known and respected for his work developing new service standards and training programs for welfare workers throughout the state. He went on to oversee community mental health clinics and residential settings, chemical dependency and gambling treatment programs. Beyond his career, Jay often volunteered on school projects, coached his daughter's softball team and became a passionate hockey dad and grandpa. He was a lifetime sports enthusiast, enjoyed hiking, fishing and time at his lake home with family, especially his grandchildren. As Jay became increasingly challenged by the effects of Ataxia, and more recently cancer, he received an outpouring of love and affection from his family and friends who supported him to the end. Memorial service, 6:30 PM Friday, January 27 at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 1985 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, followed by reception. Memorials preferred to National Ataxia Foundation, 2600 Fernbrook Lane, Mpls., MN 55447 or St. Mary's Youth Scholarship Fund.
