Bucks Firefighter, Sprint Car Racer Remembered As A "Beautiful Soul"

HILLTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — A 35-year-old Hilltown Township man is being remembered this week "as a kind, generous, compassionate, beautiful soul" after dying suddenly in a tragic weekend accident.

Joe Kay, the vice president of John W. Kay Electrical Contractors in Richboro, a former Plumsteadville firefighter, and a Sprint 305 Car Series racing favorite, died June 2 in what family members are calling “an unexpected, tragic, heartbreaking accident.”

The Mid-Atlantic Sprint Series, where Joe raced with his No. 12 Sprint Car, postponed its New Egypt Speedway race scheduled for this Saturday in observation of Kay’s Celebration of Life.

“Joe was a Mid-Atlantic Racing Sprint Series fan favorite as he took the wheel of his No. 12 Sprint Car on the racetrack,” according to his obituary. “He was loved for his talent, but even more for his sportsmanship and heart.”

His colleagues at the Plumsteadville Fire Company where he had volunteered in his younger years and had earned the Firefighter of the Year Award announced the news in a Facebook posting.

“It is with a heavy heart that the members of PVFC are sad to say that we have lost a friend and brother ... Joe Kay will be forever missed; gone too soon, brother. Your firehouse family will always keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.”

To help Joe's wife with the resulting financial burdens, a GoFundMe has been set up in his memory by Plumsteadville Fire Company Captain Andy Kiljanski. As of early Wednesday morning, it had raised close to $70,000.

“Today, we lost the absolute greatest friend, husband, son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew, etc. who was so full of life in an unexpected, tragic, heartbreaking accident,” reads Kiljanski's GoFundMe posting.

“To know Joey was to know love. He could light up an entire room with his infectious laugh and loved his friends and family with everything he had. (He was a) kind, generous, compassionate, beautiful soul who will be immensely missed.

“We are hoping to alleviate any financial burdens on Joey's wife, Rachel, as she tries to navigate this world without the love of her life.”

The last Facebook message Kay posted was to his wife, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday, the day he lost his life.

"Happy 30th birthday Rachel! I’m so proud of what you’ve accomplished in your 20s! I can't wait to see what you’re going to achieve next! Love you," he wrote.

Kay was born in Doylestown and graduated from Central Bucks East High School, Class of 2007. For the past 20 years, he had worked as an electrician alongside his father at John W. Kay Electrical Contractors in Richboro. He currently held the title of company vice president.

“Joe lived life to the fullest, and to know him was to love him,” reads his obituary. “He worked hard learning lessons about construction and life from his dad. When he wasn’t helping a friend, Joe was happiest spending time with his friends and family. His home was his sanctuary and he and his wife Rachel warmly welcomed everyone who visited."

His Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 8 at Coleman Hay Farm, 138 Walter Road, Chalfont 18914. The celebration begins at noon with family and friends speaking around 3:30 p.m. Attendees are asked not to wear suits or black. “We want to see the vibrancy of life that Joe embodied,” the family wrote.

Memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s name to the Plumsteadville Fire Company, 5064 Stump Road, Plumsteadville 18949.