Jay W. Sturdevant

Jay W. Sturdevant, age 79, passed away surrounded by his family on Friday, February 4, 2011 at Genesis Health-Care in Lebanon, N.H. Jay was born on March 14, 1931 in Flushing, N.Y. to the late Jesse W. and Helen M. (McConnell) Sturdevant. Jay married Joy Taylor in June of 1952. In 1960, they moved to Ridge-field, where they raised their three children. Jay was an avid runner and an active member of the WolfPit Running Club in Ridgefield. He competed in 28 mara-thons and won first place in his age division in the 1985 Philadelphia Marathon and 1992 Boston Marathon. He retired as an electrical engineer from Perkin Elmer Corporation/Hughes Optical Division in Danbury, where he worked for 25 years. Much of his time was spent on the design and construction of the Hubble Telescope. Jay is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joy Sturdevant of Grantham, N.H.; a son, David T. Sturdevant; two daughters, Lyn S. Davis of and Colleen S. Ericson; six grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service and Celebration of Jay's life at the Kearsarge Community Presbyterian Church, 82 King Hill Road in New London, N.H. on Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 2 pm. The Celebration of Jay's life to follow in Grantham, N.H. at the Center at Eastman, 6 Clubhouse Lane. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the New England Handicapped Sports Association (NEHSA), P.O. Box 2135, Newbury, NH 03255.