Chance Was ‘Fun-loving, Professional’

Heidi Genoist -- Tradeshow Week, 4/11/2008 10:57:00 AM

Coworkers described Jay Chance, former general manager of GES Exposition Services’ exhibit design and production department, as a man so humble that some had known him for years before finding out in passing that he was a former Mr. California body builder.

Chance died Monday, March 31. He was 48.

Many of Chance’s fellow tradeshow industry members attended a memorial service held last Sunday, April 6, at Palm Mortuary. Some paid tribute to the man they said was as fun-loving as he was hard-working. Chance’s teenage daughter, Cassandra Chance, and partner, Marilyn Fine, also spoke at the service.

“Jay was a great guy, a true professional and one of the funniest guys I’ve had the pleasure of working with,” said Neil Mullanaphy, who left GES last Friday for a position with facility management firm SMG. “He always kept things on point, yet added a light-hearted touch. If there’s one person who lived life to its fullest, it’s Jay. He will be missed tremendously as a person.”

In a published obituary, the Chance family asked of well wishers, “in lieu of gifts or flowers, please hug the one you love and never take a single breath for granted.”