John Jay Sweezey, 81

CHESTERTOWN - John Jay Sweezey, 81, died Dec. 14, 2008, in Memorial Hospital, Easton. Mr. Sweezey was born on Oct. 14, 1927, in Oceanside, Long Island, N.Y. Known as Jay, he was the son of the late John Newland and Cora Charles Sweezey. While in high school, Jay enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves. At graduation, he entered the regular Coast Guard from which he was honorably discharged. Jay worked as a lifeguard on Jones Beach on the South Shore of Long Island for many summers eventually becoming head of the lifeguards. Jay moved to Chestertown, in 1953 to manage the non-agriculture operations of Henry Sears' Chino Farm. It was with Mr. Sears' and his own Labrador Retrievers that he began his career as a dog trainer. Successful participation in retriever trials enhanced his reputation as a fine trainer and excellent handler. Clients from across the country sent dogs to Jay to be trained. Many of the dogs he trained became field champions. Jay has been the only professional trainer to qualify dogs for the National Championship in six consecutive decades, the last being in 2002. Although Jay campaigned dogs all over the United States, he worked primarily on the East Coast, the Gulf Coast and in Texas. He is survived by his wife, Kay Morris Sweezey; three children, Jay Kent Sweezey and his wife Martha, of Dallas, Texas, Thomas Wayne Sweezey and his wife Cathy, of Lexington, Ky., and Carol Sweezey Krebs and her husband,Kyle of Dallas, Texas; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Cornell Sweezey, Jay Kent Sweezey II, James Roland Krebs, Henry Wheeler Krebs, and Meredith Carter Krebs. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009, at 11 a.m. in Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 101 N. Cross St., Chestertown (see emmanuelchesterparish.org for directions). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Retriever Field Trial Hall of Fame, P.O. Box 774, Grand Junction, TN 38039 or a charity of your choice. Arrangements made by Marvin V. Williams Jr. Funeral Director in Chestertown.