Obituary of William T. Jaye

William T. Jaye – He was 70 years old when he passed away to be among the angels.

He was born on April 17, 1954, to his loving parents John and Mimi Jaye. He grew up with his three brothers, John, Kenneth, and Douglas, in Garden City Park and enjoyed a happy childhood. In his teenage years, he especially liked playing baseball and participating in the Boy Scouts of America. He proudly became an eagle scout and spent many summers as a scout and ultimately troupe leader at Camp Wauwepex in Wading River, Long Island.

During his college years, he learned to play the harmonica from the legendary blues singer and musician Sonny Terry. After touring with Mr. Terry throughout the country, he played his harmonica with all different musicians whenever he had the chance and, until recently, would attend weekly jam sessions with his friends at local bars. He especially enjoyed performing a song on the harp which mimicked the sounds of a train for children and adults who were young at heart.

He obtained a Bachelor of Science, majoring in economics, from St. John’s University. He thereafter received his Juris Doctor degree after attending law school and started his career as an attorney, which lasted 40+ years. He married his wife, Barbara Verdonik, in 1987, and they shared a happy marriage together for 37 years. Through the years, his passions included making friends, playing tennis, telling jokes, attending ballgames, and, most of all, playing the harmonica. However, of all the joys in his life, his three daughters—Heidi, Liesl, and Greta—were his greatest source of enjoyment and pride. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for them, and there was nowhere else he would rather be than beside them each day. No father was more loving and devoted than Bill Jaye!

His family was heartbroken at the life-changing medical circumstances that arose this past March following a surgery to clear a clogged artery after a stroke. He tried valiantly to overcome the physical and mental obstacles that resulted, but he lost his battle on August 11, 2024.     It was too soon to say good-bye!