Hewitt

Jay E. Hewitt, 69, of Boyers, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 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 at 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 Junior Republic and Butler County Children and Youth. He retired from Sharon Regional Health System in 2022 after more than 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 Pennsylvania 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 longtime outdoor columnist with the Butler Eagle, and he 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 Sportsmen’s Association for many years, and led a revitalization of the organization in the 1980s. 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 Butler County Community College. While a member of the Moniteau School Board, and 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 fundraising 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., and 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 and 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-law, Burton Barchesky, Bill Daubenspeck and Mark Grossman.

HEWITT — Family and friends of Jay E. Hewitt, who died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, will be received for visitation from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at WILLIAM F. YOUNG FUNERAL HOME, 132 Main St., West Sunbury. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Faustina Parish, St. Louis Church, 202 W. State St., West Sunbury. Father Adam Verona will officiate. 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, P.O. Box 1, Boyers, PA 16020 or to the Moniteau Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 226, West Sunbury, PA 16061.

If desired, online condolences may be sent to www.williamfyoungfh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.