Jay Johnson

1942 - 2026

Jay Johnson
11/30/1942 - 03/10/2026
Jay R. Johnson, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, from Wrentham, MA, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on November 30, 1942, in Middletown, CT, to Jay and Lillie (Almquist) Johnson, Jay grew up in Ivoryton, CT. He graduated from Valley Regional High School, in Deep River, in 1960 and attended the University of Bridgeport, where he met his wife, Sigrid (Jorgensen) Johnson. They shared 57 wonderful years of marriage. Jay served as a sharpshooter in the Army National Guard for both Connecticut and New Jersey from the 1960s until his honorable discharge in 1970. He went on to have a distinguished career as an executive for Travelers Insurance until taking an early retirement, after which he became Executive Director of the Wrentham Housing Authority, where he served for 10 years until retiring in 2009.
In his spare time, Jay could often be found playing basketball in the driveway with his children – often letting them win, but usually not – gardening, or working on projects around his home. He was always ready to lend a hand to neighbors and friends. Known for his quiet generosity, Jay was always thinking of others and finding ways to support those he cared about. He relished making people laugh, and his quick wit and silly jokes were favorites among family and friends. More than just humorous, Jay's kindness and easygoing nature brightened every room he entered.
Jay is survived by his wife of 57 years, Sigrid Johnson; daughter, Kristin Schmitt, and her husband, Dan; son, Matthew, and his partner, Tina Matz; and his son, Jay Jr. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Sadie, Damon, and Caroline Schmitt, Rachael, Shane, and Andrew Johnson; Tina's children, Ryan and Reese Costa; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Jay was predeceased by his sister, Joanne (Johnson) Bosworth, and her daughter, Stacy Bosworth, both of Old Saybrook, CT.
A private celebration of Jay's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute or the Milford Regional Hospital ICU Department.
Online guestbook may be found at rjrossfuneralhomeinc.com .