John “Jay” Leonard Sweeney, Jr., 70 of Derry, NH died Friday May 16, 2014 in the George Dumont Hospital, Moncton, NB, Canada. Jay was born in Nashua, NH on December 10, 1943 a son of the late John Leonard Sweeney, Sr. and Virginia (Bastian) Sweeney. Jay graduated from St. John’s Preparatory School in 1961, later graduating with his Bachelor’s Degree from Providence College in 1965. Jay continued on to Suffolk University School of Law, graduating in 1968. He was a member of the American Bar, NH Bar, and the Nashua Bar Associations. Jay was a second generation attorney, practicing law at the family’s firm of Sweeney & Sweeney Law in Nashua, now operated by his son, John Leonard Sweeney, III. Jay served in the US Army and with the US Air Force.
He was a member of the Miramichi Anglers Association in Doaktown, NB, Canada, a life member of the Miramichi Salmon Association, and a member of the Atlantic Salmon Federation. Jay also held memberships in the American Legion Lester Chase Post #9 in Derry, the American Association of Woodturners, the Guild of NH Woodworkers, and was a life member of the National Rifle Association. Jay enjoyed fly fishing, woodworking and spending time with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine B. (Bouchard) Sweeney of Derry, one son, John Leonard Sweeney, III and his wife, NancyJane of Derry, one daughter, Shannon Sweeney Anthony and her husband, Steven R. Anthony of Litchfield, NH, four grandchildren, Bridget Elaine Anthony, John Leonard Sweeney, IV, Brendan Jay Anthony, and Lauren Lyons Sweeney, and one brother, Brian L. Sweeney of Nashua.
Calling hours were held on Wednesday May 21, 2014 from 4 – 8pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. A Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated on Thursday at 10:00am in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry. Burial followed in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Hudson, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “J. Leonard Sweeney Scholarship Fund, Est. 10/1/1991”, C/O Providence College, 1 Cunningham Square, Providence, RI 02819-0001.