Jay Zemel

Zemel, Jay passed peacefully on July 20, 2023, at age 95. Jacqueline (nee Lax) was the love of his life and they enjoyed 48 wonderful years together before her passing. He was the devoted father of Alan Zemel, Babette Zemel (Jon Shapiro) and Andrea Zemel (Adam Brown); cherished grandfather of Mark Zemel (Laura Kaltman), Rayna Zemel (Miranda Winters), Aaron Shapiro (Natalie), Gabriel Shapiro (Ria Watko), Miriam Zemel and Jessica Shapiro, step grandfather of Arielle Brown and Lily Brown, and loving great grandfather of Nico, Wren and Casey. He was the long-time companion of the late Vivian Green. Jay was born in The Bronx, NY, and he was in the first freshman class of Bronx High School of Science. He received his PhD in physics from Syracuse University in 1956, took a research position in the Naval Ordinance Laboratory, and then became the H. Nedwill Ramsey Professor of Sensor Technologies in the Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. Jay was extremely passionate about his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and he was a mentor, guide and inspiration to several generations of scientists. He was an amateur artist and a long-time supporter of the Philadelphia Print Center. He touched many friends, family and colleagues with his warmth, intellect and creativity. He lived his final years full of gratitude for his loved ones and the wonderful opportunities afforded by his life.

Relatives and friends are invited to chapel services, Monday, July 24, 2023, 1:00 pm at Joseph Levine & Sons, 4737 E. Street Road, Trevose, PA. Interment to follow at Shalom Memorial Park, Huntingdon Valley, PA. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jay’s memory may be made to Planned Parenthood (plannedparenthood.org) or ACLU (aclu.org) or a charity of the donor’s choice.

                                                               www.levinefuneral.com