It is with an incredibly heavy heart that I must report Richard Jay passed away this afternoon.
Richard was the publisher of MatBurns magazine, and the organizer of the annual Pick-The-Champions contest at the IHSAA state finals.
He was at home, recuperating from a stroke that he suffered earlier this year, a few days after his wife died.
Richard, who taught and coached at Hammond Gavit, was a well-known figure at wrestling matches across northwest Indiana, and a longtime fixture in the crow's nest at the Merrillville semistate.
There were few, if any, people more knowledgeable about wrestling or Indiana's great wrestling history.
Richard was a terrific friend to everyone who knew him, a tremendous supporter of wrestling, and most of all, a Class act.
He will be missed. He already is.
Funeral details will be released after Christmas.