James "Jay" S. Onley, Jr.

James “Jay” S. Onley, Jr. 65, of Snow Hill died Friday, February 19, 2010 at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury. He was born December 12, 1944 in Salisbury, a son of the late James S. Onley, Sr. and Elizabeth Byrd Onley. Jay graduated from Snow Hill High School. After high school he worked with his father in the family business, W.T. Onley Canning Business. He also worked as an independent potato equipment salesman for the McConnell Company and covered the east coast as a salesman for Valco out of Bird-In-Hand, Pennsylvania. He had a love for agriculture and working with the land; his satisfaction came from his farming, growing grains and potatoes. Serving the community was one of Jay’s passions, as he was a member of Whatcoat United Methodist Church in Snow Hill, the Democratic State Central Committee from 1970 to 1986, the Worcester County Liquor Control Board from 1986 to 1998 and was a 32nd degree Mason with the Sinepuxent Lodge, A.F. & A.M. in Snow Hill. He served as a member of the Snow Hill Fire Department for 46 years, where he served as President from 1990-1991, Assistant Chief Engineer and Chief Engineer. He was an avid golfer and member of Nassawango Country Club in Snow Hill. All that knew Jay knew that his true passion was his family, especially his grandson, Brayden, who was Jay’s pride and joy. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Connie Merritt Onley; his daughter, Kim Fleming and her husband, Brad of Snow Hill; his grandson and little buddy, Brayden; a sister, Barbara Hudson and her husband, Kirk of Snow Hill; mother-in-law, Virginia Merritt of Snow Hill; step-mother, Margaret Onley of Salisbury; nephews, Matthew Hudson of New York and Jay Hudson of Paris, France; a niece, Beth Hudson-Guar and her husband, Dan of Portland, Oregon; and three special cousins, Linda Leishear of Salisbury, Ann Coates of Snow Hill and Tom Sturgis of Lewes, Delaware. A celebration of Jay’s life will be held Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Whatcoat United Methodist Church in Snow Hill, where family and friends may call from 12:00 to 1:00. The Reverend Sherwood McGrath will officiate. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be sent in his memory to Coastal Hospice at the Lake, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21802, or Snow Hill Fire Department, P.O. Box 83, Snow Hill, MD 21863. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com . Arrangements are being handled by Short Funeral Home of Delmar.

James "Jay" S. Onley, Jr.

December 12, 1944 - February 19, 2010