John "Jay" Sather (April 17, 1960-January 3, 2024), age 63, of Rochester passed away peacefully at St. Marys Hospital surrounded by family and close friends following a brief hospitalization.

Jay was born in Waseca, Minnesota, and moved to Rochester when he was very young. The second of three children, Jay loved all sports and could often be found on either a golf course or a hockey rink. He married young and had two sons, Josh and Nate. They later divorced. Jay was very proud of the fact that both of his boys and all of his grandchildren played hockey and he could often be found watching their games and cheering them on.

He had a passion for cars as well. Over the years Jay worked in many areas of manufacturing including McNeilus, Autocar, Con-Tech and Fabtech. Through those associations, he met many business contacts who became friends. I always said that Jay never lost a friend. He regularly kept in touch with close friends dating back to middle school and high school and always had someone to visit when he traveled.

Jay is survived by his sons, Joshua (Rose), Oronoco, MN; and Nathan (Amy), Rochester, MN; grandchildren, Sophia, Arie and Ainsley; sister, Polly (Ron) Gilgenbach; brother, Jim (Gail); many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who loved him. He was preceded in death by his father, John; mother, Dawn; and grandparents.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12 ^th Street, SE, Rochester with a visitation beginning at 3:00 p.m. in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. A light lunch will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the family of Jay Sather.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com