Obituary of Jay H. Johnston

Jay H. Johnston, 72, of North Bangor, New York, passed away Sunday night, September 03, 2023 at the NYU Langone Hospital in Long Island. Born in Malone, NY, February 27, 1951, he was the son of the late Herman (Stub) and Shirley (DeLosh) Johnston. He was a graduate of Franklin Academy. On August 28, 1974, he was united in marriage to Laurie J. Rheaume at the Cooks Corners Wesleyan Church. Jay was a dairy farmer for many years, working with his family. He then became a heavy equipment operator for H&C Robinson and then for Franklin County. Jay was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Jay is survived by 3 sons and daughters-in-law, James and Lisa of Riverhead, Long Island, Todd and Megan of Kirkville, NY, and Benjamin and Talitha of Arden, NC; one daughter and son-in-law, Amanda and Matthew Parham of Buffalo, NY; 2 brothers and sisters-in-law, Gary and Karen Johnston of Pittsburgh, PA, Danny and Beverly Johnston of Malone, NY; and a sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Bradley Childs of Malone, NY; Sue and Vernon Tourtellotte of Perry, NY; 11 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides his parents, Jay was predeceased by his wife, Laurie. Calling hours will be from 11am-1pm on Saturday, September 9 at the Cooks Corners Wesleyan Church. A funeral service will be held at 1pm in the church, with Rev. Bentley McQuin officiating. Burial will be in the Wylie Cemetery in North Bangor. Donations may be made in Jay’s memory to the North Bangor Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. Arrangements are through the Bruso-Desnoyers Funeral Service Inc. in Malone, and friends may leave online condolences on the funeral Facebook page at Ross Family of Funeral Homes or the website at www.brusofuneralservice.com