Berwick grad, conservationist, nature lover
Jay Elwood Seeley passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, at the age of 90. At the time of his death, Jay was a resident of the Inn at Freedom Village in West Brandywine.
Jay, the son of Ruth and Abner Seeley, was born on April 22, 1917, at the family farm in Briggsville. He graduated from Berwick High School and Penn State University, where he received a bachelor of science degree in Forestry. During World War II, Jay served with the 922nd Signal Company Depot Aviation of the U.S. Army. He supported the air operations in the Western Pacific by serving as a construction foreman for much of the housing and operational facilities of the Guam Air Depot. Following his return to civilian life, Jay worked for the Sun Oil Company at Marcus Hook. Jay worked for Sun Oil for 37 years, and at the time of his retirement, he was the assistant to the superintendent of maintenance for refinery.
In 1947, Jay married Mary Boughton. They resided in Springfield, Delaware County, where they raised their two daughters, Harriet and Doris. Jay and his family were members of the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, where he served as a deacon. Mary passed away in 1979. Jay moved to Hershey’s Mill in 1984, where he met and married Dorothy Knauer Seel in 1990. While at Hershey’s Mill, Jay actively pursued his woodworking hobby and served as president of the wood shop. Jay was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, where he became a trustee and used his woodworking talents to serve the church. Throughout his life, Jay was an avid gardener and fisherman. He was a nature lover and supported conservation efforts. Jay was a kind and gentle person who will be missed by family and friends.
Jay is survived by his wife, Dorothy Knauer Seel Seeley, his daughters, Harriet Seeley of Albany, N.Y.; Doris Seeley Leitch of Los Alamos, N.M; his son-in-law, Mike Leitch; and granddaughters: Elisabeth Leitch and Rosalyn Leitch. His sister, Julia, lives in Salisbury, Md., and his sister, Mildred preceded him in death earlier this year.
A memorial service for Jay will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 10:30 a.m. in the auditorium at Freedom Village, 30 Freedom Blvd, Coatesville.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association Inc., Parkinson Plaza, Staten Island, NY 10305-1425 or to Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, 621 Lumber St., P.O. Box 1452, Coatsville, PA 19320.
Interment will be private.
Arrangements are being handled by The Donohue Funeral Home, 43 W. Lancaster Ave., Dowingtown.
Published in the Press Enterprise (Bloomsburg, PA) November 9, 2007
[Great- Great grandson of SGS # 3463 – Jay Elwood; Abner Neal; William Jacob; John Weltz; Jacob (#3463); John (#1573); Michael; John; Samuel; Jonas; Obadiah]
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