Remembering Plumsteadville firefighter Joe Kay after his sudden death

Lina PortmanJune 5, 2024

180 2 minutes read

In his last Facebook post, Joe Kay raved about what brought him joy. This time it was his wife.

“Happy 30th birthday Rachel. I'm so proud of what you accomplished in your 20s. I can't wait to see what you make next. I love you.”

Below her post, Kay posted photos of the happy couple, including one from their 2021 wedding day.

The June 1 message is always the first to appear on his page a few days later. This is the last message Joe Kay will write.

What happened to the “marriage tree”The old Bucks County “wedding tree” is no more. Why it had to go to Buckingham

The Hilltown man and volunteer firefighter died on his wife's birthday, leaving behind extended family who expressed their grief on social media.

As of Tuesday, details of Kay's death were scarce. The Bucks County Coroner's Office confirmed that an autopsy was scheduled for Wednesday to determine the cause and manner of his death.

“My sweet, vibrant, perfect husband passed away in an accident last night,” Rachel Kay posted on her Facebook page. “I'll never get over it. I will never be whole again. I loved him for every minute I knew him and I will miss him for the rest of my life.”

Attempts to reach Kay's family and friends were not immediately successful Tuesday, but memories of him poured in on social media, painting a vivid portrait of a man who loved his life, and who loved him back.

Kay made his living as an electrician, but his passion was sprint racing, a high-powered short-track racing sport that involves open-wheel racing cars on circular dirt or paved tracks.

He was a member and sponsor of the Mid-Atlantic 305 Sprint Car Series. The organization is postponing a June 8 event at New Egypt Speedway (NJ) so members can attend its Celebration of Life service in Chalfont.

“Joey was a larger than life human being, and he will be greatly missed. It was important to us that the MASS family had the opportunity to honor Joe and his family. Again, this is a very sudden and unimaginable loss.

The Plumsteadville Volunteer Fire Department, of which Kay and her father were once active members, posted condolences on its Facebook page.

“We will forever miss Joe Kay; gone too soon, my brother. Your fire station family will always keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.

Plumsteadville Fire Chief Marc Longo called Kay “a wonderful person and friend to many in the company.”

Lina Portman

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