Jay W. Johnson passed away on December 23, 2022. The second son of Donald E. and Sandra (Sherburne) Johnson, Jay was born at Grace New Haven Hospital (now Yale New Haven Hospital) on March 5, 1958. Jay is survived by his brothers, Col Kyle S. Johnson, USAF (ret.) and his wife Yongi of Bargersville, Indiana and Lance E. Johnson and his wife Cheryl of Bonita Springs, Florida, along with a number of nephews (Ray, Shawn and Erik) and nieces (Nicole, Erikka, Ashley and Alexandra) and their families.

Jay grew up in Old Saybrook, Connecticut having moved from Clinton shortly before his fist birthday. He was an Eagle Scout (Troop 51), a member of the Junior Colonial Fife and Drum Corps of Westbrook, Connecticut and an active student and graduate of Old Saybrook High School. He was a member of the football and wrestling teams and was active in musicals and drama club. Upon graduation in 1976, Jay spent two years at the Hartt School of Music, at the University of Hartford, receiving a certificate in music, percussion. He graduated in 1982 with a degree in Anthropology from the University of Tennessee. He was very active in the all-campus events student group. With a deep love and respect for the outdoors, after graduation, Jay hiked the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine feeling honored to be called a 2,000 miler..

He worked a variety of jobs to include a wonderful position as a tour guide at the Dinosaur State Park in Rocky Hill and became a chef for a local restaurant in Rocky Hill while he obtained his teaching certification at Central Connecticut State University. Upon completion of the certificate, he began a career he truly enjoyed as a high school history teacher. At the same time, he became a certified English as a Second Language teacher. He remained committed to the conservation and regional wildlife study along the Connecticut River and would often take time to hike the White Mountains in New Hampshire. Along the way he did some in-depth research into the Genealogy of his family from their arrival in North America to the present day. He later became a supervisor at Kellogg Marine Supply in Old Lyme.

The family plans a spring internment and memorial service at Woodbrook Cemetery in Woburn Massachusetts. To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com.