Thomas Richard Zay of Hampton Bays Dies October 26

Thomas Richard Zay of Hampton Bays died on October 26. He was 75.

He was born and raised in East Hampton, the oldest of five children. As a young child, he biked, hunted, fished, and played around Georgica Pond, working at the farm across the road from his family home, and at the Maidstone as a locker room attendant, valet parking attendant, in the restaurant, and as a caddy.

He attended elementary school through eighth grade at St. Andrew’s Catholic School, graduating from East Hampton High School in 1966. From the age of 14 until he graduated college, he worked at the Sea Spray Inn, splitting time working at the front desk, serving as purveyor of foods, and performing maintenance around the Inn, and at High Tide, across the road.

Zay graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Niagara University in Lewiston, New York, in 1970. After graduating, he taught seventh and eighth grade sciences at Riverhead Middle School, in room N41, from 1971 to 2005. He also coached wrestling and girls tennis.

He proudly served six years, from 1970 to 1976, in the Army National Guard.

He also worked as a camp supervisor at the Sandy Hollow Day Camp during summers from 1988 through 2019.

He was a passionate collector of memorabilia, who enjoyed obtaining rare and interesting stamps, coins, and other fascinating collectibles. He was an accomplished photographer and artist, and enjoyed playing games in all forms, whether it be dominoes, board games, or trivia.

An avid conservationist, he composted and coordinated waste management efforts for his household and family members well into his retirement years. His was an active and inquisitive mind, and he took joy in the discovery and exploration of nature, science, history, astronomy, and oceanography. He particularly enjoyed any opportunity to investigate and reveal natural wonders that may often escape the casual gaze to his wife, son, two daughters, grandchildren, and his extended family.

In his spare time, he also enjoyed painting, clamming, fishing, kayaking, wood carving, and spending time with his family. He enjoyed bird watching and swimming in the pool he and his father-in-law, the late George Demos, dug together in his backyard.

He was also a loyal Yankees fan who, along with his brother-in-law Ted Demos, attended the game in 2011 in which Mariano Rivera clinched his record-breaking 602nd save and became MLB’s all-time saves leader. Although forced to endure Rangers hockey until 1972, when Canada saw the light and expanded the league to include the New York Islanders, he became an Islanders fan as they won four straight back-to-back Stanley Cup trophies between 1979-1983. He shared his love of hockey with his daughters, taking them to New York Islanders games at the Barn (Nassau Coliseum) as a season ticket member. He enjoyed watching and discussing NASCAR with his son Brian.

Thomas was a dedicated family man, always putting family first.

He is survived by his wife Christine Zay; his son Brian Zay (April) and grandchildren Elijah and Gabriel; his daughters Kaitlin Woody (Marshall) and Sarah Zay; his brothers Gary Zay (Maureen) and Jimmy Zay; his sisters Linda Cameron (Bobby) and Donna Koppinger (Andrew); his brothers-in-law Ted Demos (Liz) and Jim Demos (Laura); his nephews Sean Zay (Jessica), Chris Zay (Yorlenis), Robert Cameron (Erin), Patrick Zay, Nick Demos (Jess), Teddy Demos (Krystal); and his nieces Alexis Demos, Kelsey Northcote (Derrick), Kara Demos. He also leaves behind his dear feline companion, Gatsby the Catsby,

He was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Shirley Zay.

Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, October 30, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the R. J. O’Shea Funeral Home in Hampton Bays. There will be a Mass on Friday, November 1, at St. Mary’s Church in Hampton Bays at 10:30 a.m., followed by a burial in Southampton Cemetery.

The Zay family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org) in the name of Thomas R. Zay.