Funeral Arrangements Announced For Wayne Police Detective Jay Clemente

WAYNE, NJ — Funeral arrangements have been announced for a beloved detective who spent more than 20 years of his law enforcement career in Wayne Township. Detective First Class Jason Clemente, who went by “Jay,” died last Wednesday at the age of 52 after battling pancreatic cancer for seven years.

Clemente was born in Livingston and grew up in Bloomfield, and had lived in Mount Olive Township for the past 20 years, according to his obituary with William J. Leber Funeral Home in Chester. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Darlene; his children Madison and Jake; his father Jose; and his brothers and sisters, as well as their partners and children, the obituary said.

"He was an amazing friend to all and treated all of his friends like family," said loved ones in the obituary remembrance.

A visitation is scheduled Monday, Feb. 12 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the William J. Leber Funeral Home, 15 Furnace Road Chester, NJ 07930.

A funeral Mass will be Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Jude Parish, 17 Mount Olive Road, Budd Lake, NJ 07828. Clemente will be buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Chester (85 Pleasant Hill Road) following the Mass.

Clemente's son Jake is fundraising in his honor for the Penn State THON, which raises money to fight childhood cancer. The family requests memorial donations be made to the fundraiser, in lieu of flowers.

After graduating from Immaculate Conception High School in Montclair, Clemente received his bachelor's degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University (where he played tennis) and a master's degree from Seton Hall University, his obituary states. He was also a police officer with the West Caldwell Police Department for eight years before transferring to the Township of Wayne, where he served for 21 years.

Family "was everything" to Clemente, and he took great pride in his wife and children, the obituary said.

"He loved being able to raise, coach and spend time with his kids," loved ones wrote. "Jason came from a close knit family who loved spending time together, and he had a tight bond with his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews."

Clemente is described as a sports lover who enjoyed coaching his children and other youth in Mount Olive. He also enjoyed volunteering at the Wayne animal shelter, his family said in the obituary.

Original article:

• Beloved Wayne Police Detective Dies Of Cancer, Department Says