Plastics Hall of Famer Jay Gardiner Dies at 70
Selfless exec and plastics industry advocate described as ‘a legend, both in the business and in his community.’
The plastics industry lost perhaps its most well-known, well-connected and well-liked figures—and certainly its number one volunteer—when Jay Gardiner passed away last month following a year-long-battle with cancer. He was 70.
Gardiner founded Gardiner Plastics in 1991. While well-known for leading his company’s resin-distribution and consulting business activities, Gardiner was perhaps more widely recognized for his volunteerism. He was a long-time and active member of the Society of Plastics Engineers; he served as president of SPE from 1996-97 and was subsequently honored with the society’s Distinguished Member award.
He also was president of the Plastics Academy, Chair of the Plastics Institute of America, the Plastics Pioneers Association, and member of the Board of the National Plastics Center and Museum. Gardner also served on advisory boards of many companies throughout his career, including processors, helping them restructure, diversify and in some cases expand through acquisition. Most recently, he served on the NPE2018 and NPE2021 Content Committee.
The pinnacle of his professional career came in 2012, when he was elected to the Plastics Hall of Fame.
On the website of the Plastics Industry Association, CEO Tony Radoszewski noted: “On behalf of the entire plastics industry, I express my deepest sympathies to the family of Jay Gardiner. Jay was a legend, both in the business and in his community. His foundational contributions to the growth of the plastics industry in the United States rightfully earned him a place in the Plastics Hall of Fame, an organization he served with characteristic dedication in recent years. Jay will be sorely missed.”
His selflessness extended outside his work in plastics. Gardner was a volunteer for The Setauket Fire Department for 31 years. During that span, he had the titles of EMS Director and Lieutenant. More recently he served as a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners and chaired that board for the last three years. He taught at Suffolk County Community College and attained the rank of associate professor. He also served on the New York State EMS regional faculty, the training center faculty of Saint Francis Hospital, and several other institutions. He chaired the Suffolk County Regional EMS Association from 2012-2013.
Gardiner was born in the Bronx, N.Y. in 1951. He lived in Queens and Manhattan before moving to South Setauket, N.Y. in 1986. He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from CUNY Queens College and an MBA in management from Stern School of Graduate Business Administration from NYU in 1986.
He is survived by his wife and best friend, Diane (Mush). He is also survived by 4 children Shawn (Marggorie), Sarah, Evan (Kristy), and Jeremy (Carly), three grandchildren (Zoe, Colton, and Jack) as well as Cassidy and Buddy, two very loyal Jack Russell terriers.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
