Uncrowned Community Builders

Richard E. Kay Jr., a Buffalo native, graduated from Emerson Vocational High School and served four years in the Marine Corps before completing architectural drawing courses at Erie Community College North Campus.

Mr. Kay began working as a lecturer in graphic communications technology at the University at Buffaloââ?¬â?¢s Educational Opportunity Center in 1972. During his 32 years at the center, he taught graphic arts and printing skills to hundreds of students. He also prepared all of the center's print publications and later instructed students in computer-assisted graphic design and video production. He retired as an associate professor in 2004.

For 30 years, Mr. Kay had been a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church, where he was active in the audiovisual ministry. He directed and produced the churchââ?¬â?¢s televised services and a number of other ministries events. In collaboration with Mount Olive and EOC, Mr. Kay developed a hands-on course utilizing the audiovisual ministry to teach videography.

One of the original members of the Fellow Athletic Club of Western New York, Mr. Kay served as the souvenir journal chairman, and he coached and played several sports.

He also had a passion for singing and composing music, and some of his compositions were included in local plays. Mr. Kay arranged, composed and sang the musical score for "Thou Shall Not Kill," and his scores were performed at Studio Arena Theatre, UBââ?¬â?¢s Katherine Cornell Theater and at Buffalo State and D'Youville colleges. He also composed songs to help the Buffalo Fire Department's Fire Survival Program educate young children about fire safety.

For outstanding service at EOC, he was awarded the Oxner Lytle Award and many other commendations, his family said. He also earned military awards for distinguished service.

He was married to Dolores Davis and had three daughters, Richelle L. Mariner, Tammy and Dominica; three sons, Richard E. III, Joseph and Carl; and a sister, Josephine Thomas.