Jay E. Hewitt

Jay E. Hewitt, 69, of Boyers passed away November 1, 2023 while on a hunting trip in Colorado. Jay was a beloved husband, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.
 

Born in Clearfield, PA he was the son of the late Sophie Dyorich Lenz and Jay E Hewitt, Sr.

He was a graduate of Derry Area High School and earned an undergraduate degree in communications and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from Slippery Rock University. His life’s work was helping young people at risk, “the kid business” as he referred to it, and he had worked at George Jr. Republic and Butler County Children and Youth. He retired from Sharon Regional Health System in 2022 after over 20 years as a mobile therapist. He touched the lives of countless individuals during his career. 
 

He was a Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer with the PA Fish and Boat Commission for 11 years and enjoyed his time at Lake Arthur and on Butler County’s creeks and streams.  Jay also was a long- time outdoor columnist with the Butler Eagle and loved sharing his knowledge of nature and hunting and fishing with others. He liked nothing better than telling a great story about his outdoor adventures.  Jay was a valued member of the community. He was the president of the Boyers Sportsman’s Association for many years and led a revitalization of the organization in the 1980’s. He loved working on club events, especially the annual Trout Festival and Kids’ Fishing Day.  He coached youth sports in both the Moniteau and Slippery Rock School Districts and it always made him smile to be greeted as “Coach”, even after many years.

Jay was a great proponent of education and had served on the Board of Trustees at BC3.  While a member of the Moniteau School Board he helped to found the Moniteau Scholarship Foundation. He was a great mentor and encouraged many students to pursue their athletic and academic goals and most importantly to be successful human beings.  He was a member of St Faustina Parish and had served as a lector, eucharistic minister, and past parish council member. He helped to coordinate and participated in many parish fund raising activities. He was a member of the Slippery Rock Knights of Columbus.  One of Jay’s greatest joys was sharing hunting and fishing experiences with family and friends and he always welcomed the opportunity to introduce a young person to the activities that he loved. He was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan and never hesitated to throw a block if the Steelers needed an extra hand. He loved attending the sporting events of his youngest friends and could be counted on to be one of their loudest cheerleaders. He looked forward to Tuesdays and playing poker with the guys at “the club.”

Those left to treasure his memory are his wife of 43 years, Renee; his brothers, James (Suzanne) Hewitt of Star Tannery, VA, Randy (Jayne) of Springfield, VA , Rick (Myra) Lenz of New Derry ; his sisters Jackie Barchesky of Woodbridge, VA and Karen Herdman (Joe) of Blairsville; his sisters-in law Susan Grossman of Boyers, Stacey Wolinski (Bob) of Butler and his brothers-in-law Scott (Jeanne) Daubenspeck of Kittanning and Mark (April) Daubenspeck of Hooker, numerous cousins, and his many nieces and nephews for whom he had a special love. He also leaves behind many friends, young and old, who will always remember his big smile and even bigger heart.  

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Jerry Hewitt and Joseph Lepado, his in laws Darrell and Gloria Daubenspeck, and his brothers in laws Burton Barchesky, Bill Daubenspeck, and Mark Grossman. 

Family and Friends will be received for Visitation from 2-4 and 6-9 pm Friday November 10, 2023 at the William F. Young Funeral Home 132 Main Street West Sunbury. Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am Saturday November 11, 2023 at St. Louis Church of St. Faustina Parish, West Sunbury. Everyone is asked to please meet at church.

Burial will be private.  

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be directed to the Boyers Sportsmen’s Association PO Box 1, Boyers, PA 16020 or to the Moniteau Scholarship Foundation PO Box 226, West Sunbury, Pa 16061.

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