Jay Gardiner, a member of the Plastics Hall of Fame and founder of Gardiner Plastics, died Oct. 15 after a battle with cancer. He was 70.
He founded Gardiner Plastics in 1991, which became a resin distributor and strategic consulting service, and in 2012 he was inducted into the Plastics Hall of Fame.
Gardiner was an active advocate for the plastics industry, serving as president and distinguished member of the Society of Plastics Engineers; president of the Plastics Academy; and a member of the Plastic Pioneers Association.
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) released the following statement from President and CEO Tony Radoszewski in reaction to Gardiner's passing.
“On behalf of the entire plastics industry, I express my deepest sympathies to the family of Jay Gardiner. Jay was a legend, both in the business and in his community. His foundational contributions to the growth of the plastics industry in the United States rightfully earned him a place in the Plastics Hall of Fame, an organization he served with characteristic dedication in recent years. Jay will be sorely missed.”
Gardiner lived in South Setauket, N.Y., and had been planning to move to Florida at the end of this year. He was also active in his Long Island community — volunteering for 31 years with the Setauket Fire Department, most recently serving as fire commissioner, and before that racking up 20 years of community service as an emergency medical technician on several volunteer ambulance crews in Queens, N.Y.
He is survived by his wife, Diane, four children and three grandchildren.
