Jay D. Vanvolkinburg

Jay D. VanVolkinburg, of Trumansburg, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at the age of 51.

Jay was born in Elmira, New York on June 1, 1962, a son to Franklin and Virginia (Danek) VanVolkinburg. After graduating from Trumansburg High School, Jay received his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. This degree would be the start of a life dedicated to public service. Jay began his in law enforcement at Cornell University. In December of 1989, he joined the Ithaca Police Department and remained with the department until his retirement in May of 2010. He then attended TC3 and obtained his Associates Degree in Nursing and briefly worked in the Emergency Departments at Cayuga Medical and Cortland Regional Medical Center. His strong ties to police enforcement brought him back to work at the Ithaca College Office of Public Safety and Emergency Management in March of 2011 as a Patrol Officer and on March 11, 2013 he was promoted to Master Patrol Officer. Jay was honored with both the Frank G. Hammer Kiwanis Officer of the Month Award and American Red Cross of Tompkins and Cortland County Real Heroes Award, as well as numerous other awards and recognitions over the years during his service with the Ithaca Police Department.

Jay spent his free time out on the golf course, recently taking guitar lessons, watching his favorite television programs, American Pickers and Chopped, and rooting on the New York Giants, New York Yankees, and Syracuse University basketball. He loved spending time with his children wrestling and playing. Jay enjoyed traveling and recently took a trip to Boston with Laurenda to watch his daughter, Zoe, row competitively. Jay was lovingly referred to as “Superman” by himself and loved ones for his astonishing ability to overcome life’s difficult challenges.

Jay is survived by his two children, Zoe C. (Z-Queen) VanVolkinburg and Jay D. (Bubby) VanVolkinburg Jr.; three stepchildren, Aleshia, Samantha, and Kacie; the love of his life, Laurenda Denmark; stepson, Cameronallyn; father, Franklin VanVolkinburg; six siblings, Christine (Thomas) Ellison, Suzanne (Paul) Scott, Karen (Leonard) Madoff, Franklin (Joyce) VanVolkinburg, Stephen VanVolkinburg, Amy (Razmik Nevarsartian) VanVolkinburg; numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; and a special dog, Izzie. Jay was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia in 2002.

The family will be present to receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00pm on Monday, August 26, 2013 at the Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Trumansburg. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am on Tuesday, August 27 at St. James Catholic Church, 17 Whig Street, Trumansburg. Prayers of committal will follow in St. James Cemetery.