Jay Edward Stevens, 67, of Haverhill, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 14 at the V.A. Hospital in Boston. He was the devoted husband of Kathleen (Hamel) Stevens. Born in Anderson, Ind., on Dec. 26, 1950, he was the son of the late Jay Frederick and Irene “Bernice” (Shaw) Stevens.
Stevens graduated from Madison Heights High School in 1969 and honorably served his country with the United States Coast Guard from 1969-1972. He was a graduate of Northern Essex Community College and a 1977 graduate of UMass Lowell with a degree in business management. He also attended The River College MBA program in Nashua, N.H. Stevens was employed with Digital Equipment Corps for 16 years and was a purchaser with Innovent Technologies in Peabody until his retirement in 2016. He was a leader with the Cub Scouts organization and was a member of the sports boosters at Haverhill High School and Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School.
Stevens was a devoted family man and his family was the center of his life. His greatest joy was his adoring six grandchildren. An avid reader who loved history books and films, Stevens spent his spare time gardening and built rock walls and cobblestone walkways. He was well known for outdoing himself every Halloween when he would decorate his home to the delight of neighborhood children. He loved the New England Patriots and enjoyed celebrating their victories with his family and friends. He enjoyed life and will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his loving wife Kathleen Stevens of Haverhill, four sons Jay E. Jr. and wife Sarah Cohen of Toronto, Canada, Jeremy T. Stevens and fiancée Jennifer Bettencourt of Amesbury, Jarred K. Stevens and wife Laura of Haverhill and Joshua D. Stevens of Hudson, N.H. He also will be dearly remembered by his six grandchildren Kayla M. Bergquist, Connor K. Stevens, Cameron Jay Stevens, all of Haverhill, Isabella A. Stevens of Derry, N.H., Hannah A.I. Stevens and Gabriel of Toronto, Canada. He also leaves behind two brothers Frederick L. Stevens and wife Carolyn and Joseph B. Shaw and partner Pamela Sparks, his aunt Naomi Bradley and husband William, several nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.
In keeping with his wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, Aug. 21 from 4-8 p.m. at The AMVETS Hall, 576 Primrose St., Haverhill. Everyone is invited to share a prayer, poem or sing a song in his memory. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The PAIR Project, 98 N. Washington St., Suite 106, Boston, MA 02114 or LAS America’s Immigrant Advocacy Center at las-americas.org. Both charities are to reunite families separated at the border, a situation that broke his heart. Services are in the care of The Grondin-Carnevale Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Ave., Haverhill.