Obituary: Joseph D. ‘Jay’ Mezei, 36, Of Wallingford

WALLINGFORD, CT — (From Wallingford Funeral Home): Joseph D. “Jay” Mezei, 36, died unexpectedly, on Saturday, April 6, 2024.

Jay was born in Meriden, August 12, 1987, a son of William and Sandra (Catala) Mezei. He was a lifelong Wallingford resident and a graduate of Lyman Hall High School, Class of 2005 where he excelled in sports and was a member of the Lyman Hall hockey & golf team. After graduation he went on to obtain his Associates degree from Gateway.

Jay spent his life growing up in Wallingford where he quickly excelled in the games of hockey and golf. Playing for Middlesex and then onto Lyman Hall where he was a star player leading his team to many wins. He was employed at Wallingford Country Club for many years where he continued his love for the game.

Family was everything to Jay, at any family party you could always find Jay teaching his little cousins how to swing a club or help them work on their baseball swing. To say he will be missed would be an understatement.

All who knew Jay would tell you there was no other with a heart so big like his. In 2022 Jay helped save a man’s life and was awarded the “Hero Award” from the In a Heartbeat Foundation. This was something he was very proud of.

In addition to his parents, Jay will be missed by his brother and best friend, William “Bill” Mezei Jr., and his wife, Crystal; his nephew, Dominic Mezei, who he loved so much; his maternal grandmother, Jean (Mrs. Joseph) Catala; his paternal grandmother Elizabeth (Mrs. Joseph) Mezei; as well as many uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends. He will be especially missed by his two best friends Eric Quigley & Shayne Catala. He was predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Joseph Catala; his paternal grandfather Joseph Mezei; and his godfather, Stephen Moffett.

In lieu of flowers, gifts in his memory may be donated to his nephew Dominic Mezei’s college fund.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.