Obituary of Allen J. Jaquays

Allen J. Jaquays SHERRILL >> Allen J. Jaquays, a long-time Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School mathematics teacher, coach, and pioneering computer science teacher, passed away with loving family members by his side on Sept. 22, 2016. He was 78. Born on Aug. 25, 1938 in Waterville, NY, he was the son of Addie and William Jaquays and graduated from Waterville High School in 1956. Jaquays attended SUNY-Albany, earning his bachelors degree in 1961 and masters degree in 1964. He started his career working three years at Averill Park Central School before teaching high school mathematics and some of the earliest computer science classes ever at VVS in Verona, NY for 31 years. He retired from VVS in 1994. At VVS, Jaquays also coached thousands of students -- including his own children -- in wrestling, boys bowling, girls golf, girls bowling, and mathletics. Jaquays married the former Irma Caroline Ess in Oakfield, NY on Aug. 27, 1960, and the couple enjoyed 56 happy years together. Irma became his primary caregiver towards the end, selflessly dedicating herself to her husband's comfort. He was an avid sports fan, cheering on the Yankees and Giants teams especially, and for many years was the VVS representative for the Oneida/VVS/Canastota Teachers' Federal Credit Union, which later became AmeriCU in Oneida. Jaquays is survived by son Michael of Sherrill and his children Amanda, Gabrielle, and Samantha; daughter Lisa of Chicago and her partner Scott VanBortel and his daughter Lauren; daughter Mindy and her husband Mike Price of Pickerington, Ohio and his children Jessica and David; and daughter Laura of Taberg and her children Erica and Mark. Jaquays also had four great-grandchildren, Olivia, Graison, Aurora, and Noah, all of Taberg. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Malecki Funeral Home at 464 Sherrill Road in Sherrill. Friends may call on Monday, Sept. 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. The funeral will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the VVS Retired Teachers Association Scholarship Fund. Checks can be made out to "VVS RTA" and mailed to PO Box 451, Vernon, NY 13476. Envelopes will also be available at the funeral home.