Jay Harford's Obituary
Jay William Harford of Trappe, Maryland passed away from complications of liver disease on November 6, 2016. He was 81 years old.
Born in Wilmington, DE and raised in the village of Arden, he attended a two room elementary school and graduated from P.S. DuPont High School where he played flute in the band and orchestra. He earned a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry from the University of Delaware. After two years as a research chemist with Sun Oil Company, he left to earn a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Rhode Island.
An employee of Edgerton, Germeshausen and Grier (EG&G) he reported to Dr. Harold Edgerton, the inventor of the electric flash (strobe light). Here Jay developed oceanographic equipment including underwater cameras, lights and sonar systems. He designed the largest seismic profiling system for geology and oil exploration of the time; it was was used to confirm the theory of plate tectonics in which subterranean plates move and shape continents. He designed stealth underwater photographic systems for the eminent underwater explorer, Jacques Cousteau, which were instrumental in finding and later clandestinely recovering the sunken submarines, Thresher and Scorpion.
A move to Salt Lake City found him working on the design of systems for offshore oil rigs and developing the Doppler sonar current meter, now the gold standard for current measurement of oceans and rivers. Returning to the East Coast, he worked in worldwide marketing and sales for several companies involved with ocean exploration and instrumentation. He retired from IBM after working thirteen years in the Space Computer group and received numerous awards for quality. In 2010, he was inducted into the University of Rhode Island Engineering Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in sonar development and underwater optics.
An entrepreneur and owner of Kent Ltd, a commercial scientific research organization, Jay developed several products, including a system to detect marine pollution, an autonomous marine nutrient monitoring system with remote control and real time remote data readout, and a remote vessel control system to deliver critical cargo to areas devastated by natural disasters or combat.
He maintained his love of engineering and did considerable circuit design for his clients, some of which have been patented. He often believed engineering is the highest form of fine art since it encompasses the aesthetics, as well as, the technology.
He was an avid wood and metal worker who built many home innovations when he served as the general contractor for the house he built in Trappe. This home provided a haven for his love of fishing and hunting, as well as, a place to practice his flute. He was a founding member of the Mid-Shore Community Band and was selected to play with the Baltimore Symphony under the Rusty Musicians program.
He was on the board of directors of the Mid-Shore Community Band, the Talbot County Arts Council, the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishing Association. He was also a laborer for Habitat for Humanity and was a mission participant in building an Anglican school in Belize.
Jay is survived by his wife of 56 years the former Janet Snyder of Trappe, his two daughters Marla (Joe) Blasko; Julie (Jeff) Walker; five grandchildren; sister Clarissa Johnson; and many nieces and a nephew.
A celebration of life will be held at Christ Church Easton, Saturday, December 3, 2016 at 11:00 AM.
In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to the Mid-Shore Community Band P.O. Box 2116, Easton, MD. 21601.
Arrangements are by the Ostrowski Funeral Home P.A. of St. Michaels.
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