Jay H. Wenrich, 80

Jay H. Wenrich, 80, of Lancaster was called home to Jesus on Saturday, September 5, 2009. He was the born in Robesonia, PA to the late John L. and Mabel K. (Shark) Wenrich.

He was the husband of Frances V. (Kiefer) Wenrich. They were married on March 14, 1998.

He was of the Catholic faith and was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church.

Jay served his country as a Veteran of the Korean War. He was a 2^nd Lieutenant and Company Commander of an Anti Tank Company.  After the Korean War he was stationed in Pearl Harbor. He retired from the US Marine Corps as a Captain.

He was a 1951 graduate from Penn State University with a B.A. in Business Administration. Before going to college he was a graduate from Linsly Military Academy.

Jay was the Treasurer and Business Manager of Lancaster Newspapers Inc. He retired in 1998 after forty-two years of service to Steinman Enterprises. He joined Lancaster Newspapers in 1956 as a credit manager. He became personnel manager in 1958, executive assistant in 1962 and assistant to the president in 1977. In 1979, he added responsibilities at another Steinman Enterprises company, Intelligencer Printing Company, as vice president of administration and assistant to the vice chairman of the board. He became Lancaster Newspapers’ business manager and Intelligencer Printing Co. treasurer in 1983. Jay added the title of treasurer of Lancaster Newspapers in 1993.

He was a former United Way public relations chairman. In 1974 and 1975 he was campaign chairman, finance chairman, and director, and director of the Lancaster Guidance Clinic, Mental Health Association and Pennsylvania Economy League’s Lancaster Chapter. Jay was past president of the Lititz chapter of  the American Business Club and the Lititz Parent Teachers Association, also served the Lancaster chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews as its lead fund raiser.

Jay and his family successfully owned and operated a motel in Smoketown, Spruce Lane Motor Lodge from 1979 through the late 80’s.

Jay was a former member of the Hamilton Club, a Mason and member of the Williamson Lodge #307, F & A.M.

He enjoyed gardening, spending time at his vacation home in Ocean City, NJ with his family. He was a devoted and supportive father, and relished spending time with his sons and daughters, and his granddaughter. He encouraged his children to excel and to achieve professional and personal goals, but to stay focused on family. He was an avid Penn State football fan. Jay enjoyed reading, especially history and military literature, the outdoors, and going to Lycoming County family lodge, where they would hike and hunt.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons, Michael J. Wenrich, Douglas J. Wenrich, both of Lancaster, Craig D. Wenrich, husband of Carla A. of New Rochelle, NY, two daughters at home, Frances “Katie” Wenrich and Tancy D. Wenrich, a granddaughter, Ivy E. Wenrich, of Lancaster, a brother John L. Wenrich, of Gulf Breeze, FL. He was preceded in death by his former wife May A. “Mazie” Wenrich.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial from St. Mary’s Catholic Church 119 S. Prince St. Lancaster, PA on Thursday September 10, 2009 at 10am with the Rev. Leo Goodman as Celebrant. Viewings will be held on Wednesday evening from 6-8pm from the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home & Chapel 3110 Lititz Pk. Lititz, PA 560-5100 with a Christian Prayer Service at 8pm and again at the church Thursday morning from 9-10am. Final Commendation and Farewell will take place from St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anne School Building Fund c/o St. Anne School 929 N. Duke St. Lancaster, PA 17602. To send the family online condolences please visit snyderfuneralhome.com