Obituary of Roy Leonard Hadley

Roy “Jiggs” Hadley, 80, of Toms River passed away at Jersey Shore Medical Center, September 16, 2020 peacefully surrounded by family.  He was a United States Army veteran who served our country proudly during the Vietnam War.

Anyone who knew Jiggs, knew him to be an absolute sports fanatic, particularly baseball, football and basketball, be it pro, collegiate, or local team sports.  His passion was equally matched by his incredible knowledge of these games. He followed this passion and umpired for 20+ years in Ocean County for the USSSA, where he became known by many as a funny, no-nonsense guy calling balls and strikes.  He was part of the coaching staff during Lakewood High School’s only state football championship team in 1986 and also coached at Manalapan HS for a number of years. 

However, his real passion was in education.  While pursuing his BA in criminal justice from Stockton State University, he was a substitute teacher on a semi-permanent basis for numerous years in the Lakewood school system.  He followed his passion as an educator, and at the age of 50, he achieved his Teaching Certificate for the Handicapped from Georgian Court University and became a well-respected and valued Special Education teacher at Manalapan High School. Jiggs truly loved all of his students and took great pride and joy as he taught them life skills, took them on relevant field trips, and implemented a special “school store” where they could learn responsibilities and basics of purchasing, maintaining inventory, and exchanging money.

As much as Jiggs loved sports and his students, it was his family he truly treasured the most.  People who knew him would find humor in one of the last things he said before passing “we (he and Mom) did a good job…there isn’t a dummy amongst you guys”.

Jiggs is predeceased by his daughter Christine in 1978 and son Daniel in 2011.  He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Carol (Thompson) who smiles and says, “they said it would never last”,   his sons Scott (Dolores), David (Josette), Randy (Pamela), Michael (Theresa); his sister Lynn Walker (William); Grandchildren Brittany, Matthew, Connor, Shane, Daniel, Joia, Myles, Jocelyn, Gemma; great-grandchild Mason, and his nephews Leonard Nieves and Lee Pickell.

A visitation will be Sunday, September 20th, from 3:00 – 7:00 pm at the Freeman Funeral Home, 47 East Main Street, Freehold.  A funeral mass will be Monday, September 21st at 10:15 am at St. Rose of Lima Church, 16 McLean Street, Freehold.  Condolences and directions can be found on freemanfuneralhomes.com.