René L. “Jay” Bouchard – 80 – of 6340 County Route 68 (Crosby Creek Road), Hornell died early Monday morning (March 8, 2021) at his home, following a long illness.
Born in Hartford, CT on August 30, 1940, he was the son of Raymond & Lucille (Berthiaume) Bouchard.
Jay grew up in North Troy, VT where he attended North Troy High School. While in the 10th grade, he transferred to Brothers of the Sacred Heart High School in Pomfret, CT, a religious teaching order. He later graduated from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, VT where he majored in English. Jay earned his Master’s Degree in Education from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY.
Throughout the years, Jay was employed in various educational positions, including: a teacher in Philadelphia, PA; Vice Principal in Potsdam, NY; Superintendent of Schools in Alfred-Almond; and Superintendent of the Steuben & Allegany County BOCES. He retired in 2004.
A resident of the Hornell area since 1980, Jay had been a communicant of St. Brendan / St. Jude Parish and later a communicant of St. Ignatius Loyola Church. In recent years he was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church.
Family was very important to Jay and he relished the frequent visits made to him by his children and grandchildren. He was always the first one up in the wee hours of the morning, but loved his weekend naps. Jay also enjoyed woodworking and spending countless hours “playing” on his tractor.
He was married on June 8, 1966 to the former Joan Converse who died October 15, 2004. He was also preceded in death by his son, André “Andy” Bouchard who died July 11, 2017; his brother , Raymond Bouchard; his son-in-law, Mark Mellencamp.
Surviving are his daughter, Michelle Mellencamp of Carmel, IN; 2 sons, John (Sandi) Bouchard of Ontario, NY and Jacques “Jay” (Janeth) Bouchard of Cocoa, FL; 3 brothers, Peter (Arlene) Bouchard of AZ, Paul Bouchard of Henderson Harbor, NY and Michael (Marty) Bouchard of Post Mills, VT; 2 sisters, Monique Landi of Colebrook, CT and Myrtle Dionne of Hartford, CT; 5 grandchildren, Connor Mellencamp, Kagan Mellencamp, Alexis Bouchard, Sydney Bouchard and Abby Bouchard; several nieces & nephews.
At Jay’s request there will be no prior calling hours. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Monday at 2:00 PM at St. Ann’s Church with final interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements are in care of the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY.
Jay’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 – Dept. 300, Memphis, TN 38148.

Frank T. “Slats” Andolina – 95 – of 26 Meadowbrook Rd., Arkport, formerly of Wellsville, NY, died early Monday morning (March 8, 2021) at St. James Hospital, following a long illness.
Doris N. Stewart – 92 – formerly of Hornell, died Thursday afternoon (March 4, 2021) at the Penfield Place Nursing Facility in Penfield, NY, where she had resided for the past year.
Preston Smith – 59 – of 115 Elm St., Hornell, died unexpectedly on Saturday (February 27, 2021) at his home.
Egbert Ward “E.W.” Phillips – (89) – of 2836 State Route 244, Belmont, NY died unexpectedly Saturday evening (February 20, 2021) at his home.
Lucy Lantz, 105 years young, of Hornell, died early Wednesday morning (February 17, 2021) at Hornell Gardens where she resided for the past 15 years.
On February 17, 2021, Mary Catherine Bromwell, loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away peacefully at age 97.
Mary Ann Losecco – 88 – of 1190 County Route 66 (The Woodlands), Hornell, died Thursday morning (February 11, 2021) at St. James Hospital, following a long illness.
Mary M. “Margie” Secondo – 79 – of 26 Crosby St., Hornell, passed away Monday, February 8, 2021 at St. James Hospital Comfort Care, Hornell NY, following a long illness.
Yolanda Patricia Chirgwin Hogan, age 99, and a resident of Hornell, NY for over 70 years, passed away peacefully at her home on February 7, 2021 with family members at her side. She was a shining light in the world.