Jay Porter Waterman, 70 of Bethel, CT died peacefully at Regional Hospice on Saturday, October 14, 2017 after a long illness. Jay was born June 29, 1947 in Danbury, CT to Terrance and Sarah Porter Waterman. He was married to his devoted wife and best friend Laurie Ferguson Waterman for 31 years.  He was a loving father to his two children, Brett and Alyssa Waterman whom he loved passionately, his two brothers Terrance Waterman of California and Greg Waterman and sister-in-law Jennifer Boyce of Bethel.

Jay graduated from Bethel High School in 1965 and went on to serve in Vietnam from 10/20/66-8/26/68 in the military police. He was a marksman, received a meritorious service citation, the national defense service medal and the Vietnam campaign medal. From there, Jay attended Western CT State University and graduated in 1973 with a Bachelors in Business Administration.

Jay worked for PHH Relocation and the Town of Hamden and went on to work as an accounting manager for the Town of New Fairfield in 2001. He was promoted to finance director in 2006 where he stayed until he retired in 2013. He also maintained his own tax accounting business (JPW Accounting) for 30 years which he continued after his retirement.

Jay devoted himself to his family but he was also passionate about baseball. As a boy, he was the in the Little League and was a batting champion even at that young age. He was active in Danbury Industrial Softball League for many years as a player and manager.  He spent many years on the board and won many awards -Manager of the Year in 1991, Most Valuable Player in 1994, shortstop and division batting leader for 5 years. As a board member he helped bring the DISL from 38 to 64 teams which is the largest in the state. He helped bring sprinkler systems and electronic scoreboards to the fields. He was the president for 6 years and the treasurer for 8 years. In 1991, he became a coach with the Bethel Baseball Association and went on to become the treasurer of the league and manager of the umpires.  He remained with the BBA for 25 years.  He was passionate about this organization and loved coaching his children and the many Bethel families and their children. Jay was instrumental in managing the administration of the Al Leonard Invitational Jimmy Fund Tournament and the numerous District, State and Regional Tournaments. In September of this year, Jay was voted into the CT Babe Ruth Baseball Hall of Fame.

In addition to being a true Yankee and Giants football fan, Jay loved the UCONN Women’s Basketball Team and went to numerous Final Four games.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jay’s name can be made to the Bethel Baseball Association, c/o William Slifkin, 16 Katrina Circle, Bethel CT 06801.

The family will receive friends at the Bethel Funeral Home, 215 Greenwood Ave., Bethel, Thursday afternoon from 3:00 to 5:00 and in the evening from 7:00 to 9:00. A private graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery, Bethel.

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