Obituary of John A. Layton

WESTFIELD - John A. "Boomer" Layton, age 69, of Westfield, formerly of Watertown, NY, passed away Thursday, June 13, 2019, at Absolut Care of Dunkirk following an extended illness.

John was born on July 18, 1949, in Chelsea, MA, the son of the late John W. and Anastasia (O'Callaghan) Layton.

John graduated from Immaculate Heart Central School in Watertown in 1968 and received his BA from St. Francis College of Maine. He was a Toll Taker for NYS Thruway Authority for over 35 years before retiring in 2010.

John was a member of St. Dominic RC Church of Westfield, a Life member of the Watertown Elks Club, a current member of the Westfield Moose Club and a social member of both the VFW and the American Legion posts in Westfield.  He played professional football for the Watertown Red and Black football club and was a member of the 1971 Championship Team.  He had also played rugby for many years and enjoyed golf. He was an avid hunter who enjoyed the outdoors. Above all else, “Boom” loved to spend time with his niece and nephew and all of his family and extended family. John was always doing things for other people and loved to bring a smile to everyone's face.  He loved to make people laugh.

Survivors include his sister, Barbara (Joe) Harwood of Watertown, NY, his niece, Brigid Harwood of Watertown, NY, and his nephew, Ryan (Sithia Phongsouvanh) Harwood, of Philadelphia, PA and Ryan’s children, Aden and Abel. He is further survived by his surrogate brother and sister, Rodney and Dorothy Coleman of Westbrook, CT.                         

Friends may call from 6 PM to 8 PM on Friday, June 14, 2019 at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY. 

Further calling hours will be held at the Reed and Benoit Funeral Home Inc., 632 State St., Watertown, NY, (www.reedbenoit.com) on Thursday, June 20, 2019 from 7 to 9 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday morning, June 21st at 11 AM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, 320 W. Lynde St., Watertown, NY with Fr. Jonas Tandayu officiating.

Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Watertown, NY

Memorials may be made to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, 320 W. Lynde St., Watertown, NY 13601 or to St. Dominic’s Church 15 Union St., Westfield, NY 14787.

Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the Layton family a message of sympathy, to light a Memorial Candle or for further information.