Robert J. (Jay) Warburton, age 67, passed away on November 7, 2023. Jay was a fighter in life, but cancer proved the adversary that he could not overcome. Jay was born on March 11, 1956 to Raymond and Janice Warburton (nee Ritchie) in Chicago Heights, Illinois, and graduated from T.F. South High School in 1975. Jay is survived by his son, John D. Warburton, brother Kerry D. Warburton (Carolyn), and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Janice, and brother, Darryl R. Warburton.

As a little boy, Jay dreamed of being a firefighter...loved watching that bright red truck screaming down the street with its lights flashing and sirens blaring… he trained hard and persevered to see the blessing of that dream become a reality. He was sworn into the Schaumburg Fire Department on June 2, 1980 … the light of his joy shone brighter than the lights on the Truck Company on which he dedicated 29 years of his life serving. His love of search and rescue never yielded over those years, and the crew he was leading on shift as an Acting Lieutenant were awarded a Meritorious Service Award for saving a woman from her trapped vehicle in a flash flood. Over time his love of search and rescue was partnered with his work as a Fire and Arson Investigator. He used to say that it just couldn't get any better … don the fire gear and then investigate what caused it.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal;

Love leaves a memory no one can steal.

Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

In keeping with Jay's wishes, he was privately laid to rest.