Obituary of H. "Jay" Rothmund

H. “Jay” Rothmund, 56, of Batavia, entered into rest on Saturday, June 4, 2016 in Medina. Born March 1, 1960 in Nuremburg, Germany, Jay was the son of David (Lorraine) Woodard and Lotte Rothmund. He moved to America at the age of 3 and went on to graduate from Campbell-Savona High School in 1978. Jay was a contractor by trade, working for various companies over the years. He was especially proud of teaching his building trade skills through the Youth Build program. Jay also coached wrestling through Addison High School and was a volunteer through Community Action, the Hoag Library and the Cobblestone Museum in Albion. He loved music, writing poems and short stories and was also an avid supporter and listener of WBFO-NPR radio station. He passionately submitted several letters to the editor of the Addison Post, as well as to the Orleans Hub. Jay recently went back to college at GCC to pursue a degree in paralegal studies. Jay was optimistic, intelligent, well-informed and generous. He understood the importance of an informed citizenry and took great interest in both history and politics. As much as anything, he realized that we are all in this together. Nothing would have pleased him more than getting all people to put aside superficial differences in the interest of recognizing our common humanity. Jay's being was confirmation that the potential for greatness and decency resides in all of us. He constantly pursued self-improvement even as he struggled with multiple health issues. Survivors include his wife, Deborah Rothmund; 3 children, Jeremy Rothmund, Joshua Rothmund and Andrea (Alex) Skowneski; 6 grandchildren, Sydnie, Gavin, McKenna and Liana Rothmund, Liam Skowneski and Lennox Dolan-Rothmund; his parents, David (Lorraine) Woodard and Lotte Rothmund; 5 siblings, David (Wendy) Woodard, Alan Woodard, Tracey Woodard, Pamela (Robert) Colomaio and Penny Woodard; several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his brother, Christopher Woodard. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2016, at 3PM at 6990 North Pearl Street Road, Oakfield, NY 14125. Memorial donations in Jay’s memory may be made to WBFO.