J. Paul Bright Jr. ’47

In World War II he served as an Army cryptographer in the Aleutian Islands. Returning to Princeton in 1945 he graduated in 1947 as a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Jay’s favorite memories of Princeton “revolved around courting Marge” (Margaret Humphreys). They were married during his first year at Harvard Law School.

Jay practiced law in Baltimore, specializing in estates and probate, and achieved professional recognition for his prowess in that field. However, after some years of demanding work he determined that he should “spend less [time] at work” in order to live “a well-rounded life” that included serious “service to society.” Guided by this principle Jay led fundraising efforts to strengthen Baltimore’s legal-aid bureau, the McDonogh School (his alma mater) and, as president of its board of trustees, the Baltimore Museum of Art — an institution he cherished.

In retirement, Jay and Marge regularly visited their four children, who lived in different parts of the United States and who produced   11 beloved grandchildren. Sadly, Marge died in 2006.

Jay died Dec. 31, 2008. We offer this celebration of his life to his family with our warm wishes.