Joseph E. Yelle Jr.

YELLE, JOSEPH E., JR., December 13, 2017, Cambridge, MA after a brief illness.  Jay was a master carpenter who prided himself on never doing the same job twice.  Among his numerous accomplishments, Jay renovated many offices around Harvard Square, moving walls, repairing old fixtures with period pieces, and reimagining workspaces.  Rarely needing an architect, he always collaborated with the owner or tenant to devise custom solutions.  Jay took great satisfaction in his work, and every project, large or small, reflected his honesty and integrity.

Jay and his wife, Inna Johnson, a retired Russian language specialist at Schoenhof's Foreign Books, made their home in Cambridge for more than 37 years.  Inna describes her husband as passionately interested in so many things, especially chess, classical music, primarily Bach and Mozart, all Boston sports teams, and the Suffolk Downs race track.  Jay and Inna followed soccer world-wide, and Jay took real pride in the US Women's team.

Growing up in Norton, Massachusetts, Jay had a great love for the outdoors including birds, wildlife, and conservation.  From a young age, he collected stamps and coins.  Jay read widely about the Revolutionary War era and especially enjoyed Battle of Lexington and Concord reenactments.  As a true Cantabridgian, in his earlier days, Jay might be found playing a game of speed chess with Harvard Square’s chess master at the Au Bon Pain plaza, seeing friends at the Algiers, or enjoying a pint at the Plough and Stars, where he recently donated a handmade chess table top.

In addition to his beloved wife, Inna, Jay leaves his much-loved family including Natalie and Tom Allman, Pam and John Mannes, Richard Yelle, Tina Yelle, Andrea Yelle, Mo Jahanbaksh, Mary and Gary Pforzheimer, Tanya and Steve Castaneda, Jason Mannes, David and Katrina Mannes, Scott Gotheil-Yelle, Marc Weinstock, Setareh Jahanbaksh-Yelle, Adrian, Anya, and Sabrina Pforzheimer, and great-nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to a Memorial Celebration on Tuesday, December 19 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in Watertown.  Please contact gary@pgcalc.com for details.  Burial in Norton Center Cemetery will be private.

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