Jayson Paul Colebaugh

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our son, Jay.
Jay was an active kid who loved riding his BMX bike, snowboarding, fishing, and pretty much anything that did not involve sitting still. He had an incredible sense of humor and could light up a room with his ability to talk to anyone. He was so handsome, with a beautiful smile and dimples that won many hearts. Jay also had an incredible ability to relate to people, without judgement and without concern for where you came from. He loved to be amongst his friends and family, and he always tried to help those he cared about, whenever and wherever he could. We have so many precious memories: the concerts, Woodstock '99, family trips, his wedding in 2013. It's those memories, and all the friends we met along the way, that will stay with us forever.
It's no secret that Jay struggled with addiction throughout his adulthood. The epidemic we face in Vermont is real, and it has wreaked havoc in so many lives. Jay's addiction did not define him, but it did rob him of his happiness and his ability to be the son, brother, father, husband, and all the things that he wanted to be. And it robbed us of who he really was. Jay had a good heart, and he often told me of the many regrets he had. It is our hope that people will remember him for all the good he did have, and that addicts are not bad people - they are people who deserve love, compassion, and forgiveness too, even when we suffer the consequences of their afflictions.
But it was not his addiction that took him from us. Jay suffered a traumatic brain injury while in the custody of the VT Dept. of Corrections, which is currently under investigation. This tragedy was preventable, and is yet another example of the callous disregard that inmates are subject to by a broken system. If any good can come from this, it's that society is made aware of what is happening in our prisons and that changes are made so that this never happens to another inmate or their family. It is our intent to find Justice for Jay.
Jay is survived by his son, Sawyer, who is our most precious gift, and Sawyer's mother Franny Colebaugh; his parents Bill & Lisa Steadman; his siblings Hannah and Oliver Steadman; his stepmother Sharon Fortin; his step-siblings Melissa Dupaw, Jasmine Noel, Shane Dupaw and Elizabeth Watts; his grandparents John Colebaugh, Laura Fortin, Paul Fortin and Allen Kimball ; his aunts and uncles Eric & Ann Colebaugh, Paul Colebaugh, Chris & Becky Fortin, Brian & Missy Fortin, Kevin & Laurie Fortin, Daniel Ivan Steadman, Kevin Steadman, Julie Manning, and Jeff Kimball; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. Jay is predeceased by his father David Fortin; his grandmothers Patricia Stevens and Norma Kimball; his grandfather Daniel Steadman; his aunt Theresa Steadman; and his uncle Shaun Steadman.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and sincere thanks to the team at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and the Jack Byrnes Hospice and Palliative Care Center. The care our son received, and the support for his family, was beyond exceptional. You helped him leave this world with dignity, and you helped us let him go with honor and compassion.
A Celebration of Life will held:
Saturday April 26 at 1:00pm
Williston Federated Church
44 N Williston Road
Williston, VT 05495
All are welcome.
Justice for Jay