Jay Bernstein memorial service set for Dec. 4
Friend calls circumstances of death a 'mystery'
A memorial service for Asbury Park Realtor Jay Bernstein has been scheduled for Wednesday, December 4 at 6 p.m. at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel on Ocean Avenue.
Bernstein, an agent at the John C. Conover Agency, fell to his death on Sunday from the ninth floor of the Santander condominium building on Deal Lake Drive. He owned a ninth floor penthouse unit in the building.
The memorial service will be hosted by Bernstein’s brother-in-law, who has “extended an open invitation for anyone to share a story or memory with the group,” said Gregory Demaras, a partner in the Conover Agency who was a close friend of Bernstein’s.
Another friend and colleague of Bernstein’s, Sammy Boyd, is organizing the memorial service, Demaras said.
Demaras also called the circumstances around Bernstein’s death a “mystery” and said he yesterday met with police who promised a vigorous investigation.
“Sandy didn’t blow Jay off that roof and it is my strong feeling that Sunday’s wind storm didn’t either,” said Demaras. Bernstein stayed in the building during last year’s hurricane, he said.
“I want folks to know that this is an ongoing investigation. I met with the chief and the lead detective, and the Asbury Park Police Department is going to do everything in their power to get to the bottom of this mystery,” he said.
Asbury police and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office have yet to formally announce a cause of death. A spokesman for the Asbury Police Department said on Monday that Bernstein fell from the ninth floor fire escape that was attached to his unit.
Demaras asked anyone with any information about Bernstein’s death to contact Asbury Park Det. Steven Ramseur at 732-502-4587.
————————————————————
Follow the Asbury Park Sun on Facebook and Twitter.