Jay Tucker Howroyd, 60, of Manchester, beloved husband of Lauren Canning Howroyd and devoted father of Sarah, Jesse and Amy, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 1, 2010. Born in Hartford on May 18, 1949 to Harry and Elizabeth (Reinholdz) Howroyd, Jay grew up in the Green Manor neighborhood of Manchester and attended Manchester public schools and earned both B.A. and M.Ed. degrees from the University of Connecticut. Jay had a strong background in special education and shared his talent with students at Mansfield Training School, Windham Technical School and Sweeney School. For the past 28 years, he was employed by the Travelers Insurance Company as a Technical Director of Operations. A zealous fan of the New York Yankees, Jay celebrated the 16 world championships that the Yankees earned during his lifetime. Jay was an athlete, an avid UConn basketball fan and enjoyed playing basketball, softball and golf. He served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Men's Club at Tallwood Country Club. Jay was an active member of the Town of Manchester Parks and Recreation Commission for many years, a member of the Board of Directors for the Mayor's Program for Manchester's Children and recently had been working to promote the expansion of the Mary Cheney Library. He inherited from his parents a strong commitment to community service. A lifelong supporter of the Democratic Party, Jay was also a former member of the Manchester Democratic Town Committee. He leaves behind his loving wife of 29 years, Lauren Canning Howroyd, and three children: Sarah Howroyd of Manchester, Jesse Howroyd and his fiancée Jennifer Bailey of Newtown, MA, and Amy Howroyd of Manchester. A sister Jill Lawler and her husband Jerry of Dublin, NH, and a brother Josh Howroyd and his wife Anne of Manchester also survive him. He leaves his mother-in-law, Claire Canning of Portsmouth, RI, as well as several loving nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, and many devoted friends. His parents and his brother Steven Howroyd predeceased him. Jay was blessed with a natural wit and a contagious enthusiasm for life. He found his soul mate in his wife Lauren and passed on his love for life, music and Bob Dylan to his children. Everyone who was fortunate to know Jay came to appreciate his analytical abilities and his firm belief that life was meant to be celebrated. Jay selflessly dedicated his life to his family, Lauren, Sarah, Jesse and Amy. Relatives and friends are invited for calling hours on Monday, April 5, 2010 at John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center St. Manchester, CT from 5 - 8 p.m. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. James Church 896 Main St. Manchester on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. followed by burial in East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp, 265 Church Street, New Haven, CT 06510, or to the Mayor's Program for Manchester's Children, P.O. Box 1373, Manchester, CT 06045. For online condolences and information please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.