Jay Russell Washburn

Jay Russell Washburn. 58, of Springfield MA, died at home on May 8, following an illness. Born in Athol in 1955, he was the son of Nancy (Smith) and Allyn Washburn. Jay was a 1973 graduate of Athol High School. In 1976 he graduated from Greenfield Community College where he was on the dean's list, and was a recipient of the John H. Greene Award.  He was also president of  student activities and the host of the college TV news  program. He then attended UMass, Amherst, graduating in 1979 with a BA in Education.  While at the university he was an academic advisor to undergraduate education students and a proctor for students of educational psychology.  Jay then went on to earn his MBA from American International College. He was employed by the Center for Human Development in Springfield as a counselor for several programs serving juveniles. And then Jay worked for the Job Corps in Chicopee for some time where he began as a placement coordinator and after a number of promotions, became the Director of Administration. Jay suffered a disabling injury to his back and was unable to continue his career in education. Jay leaves behind the love of his life, his fiancée, Helen Shea of Springfield. Over the years, Jay and Helen took lots of car trips. One of their favorite places to go was Newport RI, and they often vacationed there. Jay was a thoughtful and caring man, who loved  being with family. He and Helen traveled to Virginia many times to see the ‘Southern branch’ of the Washburn clan, and spend time with his nephew, nieces, and their families. He and Helen’s frequent and regular trips to Athol to visit ‘Dad’ and take him to lunch, or for excursions to Hampton Beach were truly a blessing to the whole family. Jay and Helen have always been central to family celebrations – it wasn’t really a party until Jay and Helen got there! Jay was predeceased by his mother, Nancy (Smith) Washburn, who passed away in 2012, and by his sister-in-law, Marilyn, of Hampton, VA. Jay will be sadly missed by his life partner, Helen Shea of Springfield and her sister, MaryAnn, by his father, Allyn Washburn of Athol, his brother, Dennis of Hampton VA, his brother, Keith (KD), and his wife Nancy of Orange, and by his sister, Robin (‘Sis’) of Hampton, VA. He also leaves his beloved nephew, David, and his wife, Cleo and their two sons Max and Alex, niece Susan, niece Joanie and her husband, Mike and their two daughters, Regan and Remi, all of Virginia, and niece Lindsey and her husband Eddie of Turners Falls, by several cousins, and by many friends in Springfield and elswhere A memorial service will be held in Springfield at a later date. $(document).ready(function(){ });