Jonathan D. Roseboro Jr.

Jonathan D. Roseboro, Jr. fondly and better known as JayR was born one hot summer day on August 4, 1984, at Homestead Air Force Base in Miami, Florida to Diana I. Roseboro and Jonathan D. Roseboro.  JayR was the third of their four children and was their only son. JayR’s father was on active duty in the US ARMY at the time and soon after JayR was born they moved to Fort Lee, Virginia where his father was stationed. Shortly thereafter the family moved back to Bridgeport when he was still a toddler. JayR grew up in Bridgeport, CT. His family lived on the East End and after his parents separated and divorced his mother and siblings moved to the West Side on Maplewood Avenue where she resided for about 17 years.  JayR attended Dunbar Elementary, and Harding High School, and then transferred to Bassick High School. JayR at the age of 20 welcomed his precious son Julian Roseboro with his high school sweetheart Veronica Barraza. JayR worked at Red Lobster on Main Street for many years where he met his current and long-time love Eileen Ramos and her beautiful children Chyanne and Brandon.  They shared a strong love and bond.  JayR loved them all dearly and Chy and Brandon as if they were his own biological children.  JayR was definitely a jack of all trades as he loved working with his hands, learned quickly, was very meticulous, worked very hard, and took great pride in all his work, JayR was a grill master chef, barber, and landscaper just to name some of the skills and trades he worked in.  He was great at all of them.  But he truly enjoyed being a barber and cutting hair and doing shape-ups while getting to talk and socialize with people the most.  JayR would often do cuts for the children, family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers who’d beg for a cut after seeing his work. JayR had hopes of getting his Barber’s license and getting a fresh start and moving to Florida and opening up his own Barbershop. In addition, Jay R was seriously considering becoming a substance abuse counselor. He loved helping others and understood the struggle personally. 

JayR often found himself counseling and ministering to others on the streets and in programs while he was learning the process of healing and recovery.   His counselors would quickly take notice that there was something different about him and that he had a natural ability to counsel and help others and it’s what we call GOD-given gifts and talents…They recognized something uniquely different and special about JayR.  He began to tap into his purpose and calling in life and it brought him a sense of purpose, peace, pride and he loved it.  

JayR loved his family and was his happiest when he was around any of us. For instance, when his son Ju would come to see him and spend the night he’d sleep with him and was just so happy to have him close and safe. He loved Ju so much and was extremely proud of him and of being his Dad.  When Chyanne asked him to do the exchanging of the shoes at her sweet sixteen and gave him a candle which was an honor she was bestowing upon him he was ecstatic. He loved Chy so much and always spoke so highly of her. He loved talking and spending time with Brandon who he’s been with since he was in diapers.  He was teaching him how to play basketball and had him try out for a team recently. We got the news that Brandon made the team after his passing. Kudos to Brandon and JayR.  Jay’R was a kid magnet probably because he was such a big kid at heart.  JayR just adored children and they loved him.  But he was especially proud of his 3 nephews Jadin, Amir, and Kairo, just hanging out and spending time with them meant the world to him and made him so very happy.  He had a special place in his heart for his niece Avery.  He was amazed by her intelligence and athletic abilities and said she often reminded him of his sister Letitia.  JayR loved his father who he reconnected with and lived with in West Haven for a while.  But he had a tremendous amount of love and respect for his mother and would often say “ I don’t know how you’re so strong ma. I don’t know how you do it” And she’d say… “Pop I’m not really. I just allow GOD to be made strong in my weaknesses.  I don’t know where I’d be if it wasn’t for my love for and faith in GOD and I’m so very grateful for HIS LOVE MERCY AND GRACE (unmerited favor) and that peace that surpasses all understanding.”  He also had such high regard for his sisters Tisha, Leona, and Anita he loved them with everything in him, his whole heart and soul…and he was so very proud of each of them.  JayR had a heart of gold.  His love was pure and intentions good.  JayR was a great person and everyone who met him was instantly taken by him.  JayR had charm, intelligence, the ability to converse & articulate well, and an overall a very considerate and respectful personality. He could also be very silly and loved having fun with family and friends and loved getting loud while watching games.  He loved bowling, his favorite football team was the Cowboys and he was loyal.  He loved & followed basketball but didn’t have a    favorite team but his favorite player was Scottie Pippen.  JayR was a blessing and we loved him dearly.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him but especially by his loving family and friends. JayR accepted JESUS as his LORD and Savior and we rest assured that he’s finally at peace and with his HEAVENLY FATHER who has called him home.  

JayR leaves behind to cherish his memories and carry on his legacy his beloved parents Jonathan Roseboro, Diana Roseboro and stepfather Gary Battle all of CT, his son Julian Roseboro, his long-time love Eileen Ramos, their children Chyanne Ballard and Brandon Sheets all of CT., and Maternal Sisters Letitia Searles and husband Torrey of GA, Leona Montgomery and husband Ernest of NC, Anita Roseboro of GA, his paternal sister Ariana Roseboro of CT and brother Joshua Roseboro of MA, his 3 nephews Jadin, Amir, and Kairo and 1 niece Avery.   

He’s also survived by his maternal grandmother Aurea Arbelo whom he adored, 6 uncles Hector, William, Joaquin, Eduardo, Michael Moyer and Great Cousin like an Uncle Michael Nieves, Sr. and 6 Maternal Aunts Elizabeth, Mary Jane, Millie, Nereida, Madeline, Shawn, 2 Paternal Aunts Pamela and Robin as well as several great aunts and uncles, cousins Chris, Cirissa, Frank, Auria, William, Natasha, Niko, Gabriella, Jasmine, Michael Jr., Jonathan, Hassan, Grant, Sierra, Shyann, Robert and many other cousins and great cousins on both sides.  Adopted & Like Family: Ju’s mother, Veronica Barraza,  like brother Michael Spencer,  Best Friends & Ju’s Godfather Raymond Cosme, Hector Colon, Christopher Christiansen, and several others not mentioned. Preceded in death by Maternal Aunt Iris Negron, Maternal Grandfather Joaquin Negron, Paternal Grandmother Shirley Todd Hatchett, Grandfather James Edward Roseboro, Great Uncle Jonathan Todd and others not mentioned  Sleep on in Eternal Peace. You will live in our hearts and memories forever and never be forgotten.

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