Jay grew up near 52nd and A Streets, where he made many lifelong friends. Summers were spent at the family cabin at Lake Waconda, sparking a love of boating, water skiing and snow skiing that he would one day pass on to his own kids. Growing up, he learned the importance of family, hard work, perseverance and how to treat people, lessons that shaped everything that followed, both in his work and in how he raised his family.
Jay married Trish Hospodka on June 7, 1985, and the couple moved to Dallas. His career then took them to Amarillo, New Orleans, Nashville and Kansas City, where their daughter Tara was born in February 1990. Twins Taylor and Jack joined the family in March 2000. No matter how busy the restaurants kept him, his family always came first. Annual vacations to Table Rock Lake with the boat and jet ski created some of the family’s best memories, and his happiest days were spent on the water with Trish and the kids.
In March 1991, Jay, Brian and Scott Boles opened Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill in the Haymarket, Nebraska’s first brewpub. Jabrisco followed in 1994, then Lazlo’s South in September 2000, FireWorks in 2002 and Lazlo’s Omaha in 2006. Jay had a vision for what restaurants in Nebraska could be, and he worked tirelessly to bring it to life. For 35 years, the culture he built was about more than running restaurants; it was about developing people. He believed in hard work, high standards and doing things the right way. He also loved bringing people together through festivals like Haymarket Heydays, Rhythm and Brews, and Lazlo’s on the Lawn in Omaha.
Jay loved serving his community, both in and beyond the restaurant world. He served on the board and as President of the Nebraska Restaurant Association, was named Nebraska Restaurateur of the Year multiple times, and was appointed to the Lancaster County Board of Health. After two of his children were diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, he devoted much of his time and energy to Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF), serving on the local chapter board and riding in three 100-mile century bike rides. The restaurants raised funds through sneaker sales, the annual walk and the local gala. For many years, Jay, his brother Jim and the kids prepared and delivered Thanksgiving dinner to the Friendship Home, a tradition that was very special to the family.
Jay is survived by his wife, Trish; daughters, Tara (Phil) Baylog and Taylor Jarvis; son, Jack Jarvis (fiancée Yahaira Castro); grandchildren, Leah Baylog and Calvin Baylog; brother, Jon Jarvis; parents-in-law, Ronald and Linda Hospodka; brother-in-law, John (Theresa) Hospodka; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim; and godmothers, Adeline Schwimmer and Frances Silver.
For those who knew and loved Jay, a celebration of life will be held at Lazlo’s Haymarket on Wednesday, October 28, from 4–9 p.m. Stop by or stay a while. Casual attire is encouraged.
If you would like to honor Jay with a memorial, please consider the organizations that were most important to him:
Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF)
Camp Floyd Rogers Foundation
Friendship Home
Eventide Meals on Wheels