Tehachapi lost one of its brightest stars last month. Martin Jay Sussell, whom everyone called Jay, passed away on Jan. 9 after a long illness.

Having spent most of his working life in law enforcement (Los Angeles, Gardina, Beverly Hills) and the space tech industry, where he met wife Flo, he kept that energy up when the couple moved to Tehachapi to retire. With friend Geoffrey Braslow he founded VIPS (volunteers in police service) and he remained active in both Tehachapi and Bear Valley Springs VIPS, as well as volunteering with the CSU Sheriff's Department. He was active in many other local organizations as well, including the Masons, the Horseman's Association in Bear Valley Springs, and the Buckaroos.

Always a happy and social guy with a joke at the ready, Jay loved to be around people and he loved bartending for art openings and First Fridays. A big fan of wifes Flo's artwork ("He was always wanting me to show new people my pictures," said Flo), he and Flo became involved with the Tehachapi Art Center in 2005 and went on to be a part of CrossRoads Gallery in 2006.

It was at CrossRoads where Jay became the First Friday bartender and for over eight years Jay was a part of each and every First Friday celebration at CrossRoads, and through the transition to TTT's current location, thus earning his nickname of "The Best Bartender Ever."

Daughter Marti laughed when she learned that we called him The Best Bartender Ever, as she explained that when she was growing up, the Sussells had a wet bar in their living room and Jay loved to bartend for their personal parties.

A man of many callings, Jay is certainly missed by many, but especially by those of us in the art community and TTT who looked forward to his smiles and jokes and laughter on First Fridays. He will always be in our hearts. We have a small memorial set up for him at the Treasure Trove, and are collecting "Jay stories" from anyone who wants to share a memory.

Thank you, and rest in peace Jay Sussell, April 3, 1935 – Jan. 9, 2017.