Joseph “Jay” B. Rink III, Brother Martin Class of 1986, died Saturday, June 6, 2015, at the age of 47 from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Jay a football standout at Brother Martin played in 1985 with fellow defensive standouts, Pat Stant ’87, Rod West ’86, and Warde Manuel ’86. During the 1985 season Brother Martin won the Catholic League title. The season ended with a loss to St. Martinville in the Class 4 semifinals. Disappointed from the loss in football, Jay turned to wrestling his senior year and ended up winning the state title in his first and only varsity season. He moved on to Tulane Football where he played for Mack Brown from 1987-1990.
Jay still holds Brother Martin’s school record for the most tackles in a season, 172 during 14 games in 1985. He is tied with Shawn Burst ’83 for the most career touchdown passes caught from 1983-85 at nine. At Tulane he holds the school’s record with seven career fumble recoveries and led Tulane in sacks as a junior and senior.
“You can’t predict the future,” Jay said. “You just focus on what’s in front of you, and you’re grateful for everything you have today.”
After his diagnosis in 2010, Jay’s family and friends came together to help with his medical expenses and to raise awareness for ALS. They established “Jay’s Defensive Line” which eventually evolved into “Jay Fest.”
Jay’s legacy at Brother Martin goes beyond football and wrestling. His dad, Joseph B. Rink II graduated from St. Aloysius in 1961. Jay’s son Joseph IV was a member of the Class of 2015 and his step-sons, Ryan and Ross Brister, graduated in 2011 and 2013, respectively. Jay is survived by his wife Michelle, his children Joseph, Olivia, Gracie, Sophie, and John and his step-sons, Ryan and Ross.
Jay’s funeral services will be held at St. Clement of Rome in Metairie on Saturday, June 13th with visitation from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Mass at 1:30 p.m. with burial at Lakelawn Metairie.
