James (Jay "Stretch" ) Armstrong, 47, of De Pere, died following a heart attack while playing basketball on Wednesday evening February 17, 2010. The son of Nancy and Larry Armstrong was born May 8, 1962 in Hinsdale, IL. Jay married the former Debbie Belair at St. Louis Church in Abrams on February 17, 1990. Jay was a graduate of Oconto Falls High School and Ripon College, He spent his senior year at Bonn University in Bonn, Germany. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. His love of life and talent for embellishment and wit was a joy to all who knew and loved him. After graduation, Jay worked in sales positions and presently was a sales engineer for Optima Corporation of Germany. Jay's creed was "the party belongs to the dancers" and he lived his life to the fullest. He loved the sport and camaraderie of rugby, was a member of the Green Bay Celtics and was instrumental in starting rugby clubs in area high schools. He was also passionate about golf, skiing, ice fishing, riding his scooter and life itself. He greatly valued his many friends, new friends, and especially his old, dear high school and college friends. Jay cherished his time with children, his own, as well as other kids. Whether as a coach, fishing, skiing, rugby, children, young and old alike loved hanging with Jay. He was a gracious and talented man who had a positive attitude towards life. Survivors include his wife, Debbie, two children, Max and Elle, parents, Nancy and Larry of Green Bay, his brothers, David (Matt Cudney), Milwaukee, and Tom (Chrissy) Peyton and Libby, Howard, aunt and uncle, Dick and Louise Armstrong, Cape Cod, Mass., and their daughters Jill (Charlie) Taylor and Deb (Henry) Alvarez, Chelsea, MI., and Peggy, Mass. In addition, he is survived by Deb's parents, Al and JoeAnn Belair, Oconto Falls, and her brother Kurt (Darcie) Belair, Madison. Jay was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Attorney James and Merle Scott and paternal grandparents, Russell and Helen Armstrong, Canton, IL, an uncle, James Scott, Rapid City, SD. Family and friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 pm Sunday February 21, 2010 at ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2911 Libal Street, Allouez. Visitation will continue on Monday from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm at RESURRECTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 333 Hilltop Drive, Allouez. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm Monday at Resurrection Church, Allouez, with the Reverends Luther and Lori Swenson, officiating. In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, a memorial fund has been established in Jay's name. Please visit www.ryanfh.com to send online condolences to the Armstrong and Belair families. RYAN FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY of De Pere is assisting the family with arrangements. and when he shall die, take him and cut him into little stars, And he will make the face of Heaven so fine, That all the world will be in love with night, And pay to worship to the garish sun. Shakespere, ROMEO AND JULIET