Empathetic, accepting, generous, funny, creative
The Bettencourt boys, or as their mother called them, the Three Musketeers, consisted of oldest brother Christopher, middle child Jay, and the youngest, Brandon. They were thick as thieves and fiercely protected each other.
A flair for the creative ran in the Bettencourt family, as Jay and his younger brother both had many artistic interests. One of Jay’s first passions was photography. At sixteen, it was his weekend gig. He assisted his father, carrying bags and setting up equipment, but quickly learned to use a camera, set lighting, and create composition. Gradually, his father invited him to shoot at weddings, and Jay proved an impeccable eye. He took the most romantic wedding photos, so naturally, when his father quit photography, Jason started working for the two most popular local photographers. Even more impressively, his work won awards.
Though Jay mostly shot weddings, he gladly lent his expertise during family occasions, which he loved. Among his favorites were the family Disney trip, Thanksgiving dinner, and Christmas celebrations, particularly Aunt Maria’s crazy Yankee Swap, where everyone tried to give the goofiest present.
Another of his creative pursuits was hair styling. After high school, he had many jobs, but none resonated with him like barbering. Jay attended barber school and became a gifted professional with a fulfilling career. He hoped to open his own barbershop one day.
Jay also loved the guitar. He started lessons around age twelve and quickly excelled. He played gigs with a band of pals in Florida until he moved back home. There, he continued to jam with musician friends, enjoying the camaraderie of it.
He cared deeply for his friends Danny and Randy. Jay met Danny after his move to the neighborhood. He was an avid dirt bike rider and brought Jay along to set up jumps, learn tricks, and race in the nearby woods. The two even raced competitively, and Jay biked into his early twenties. Danny’s family had a pool in their yard and Jason would swim there during hot summers. His family were also seasonal campers at a New Hampshire campground, and Jason and Brandon would join them most weekends. Danny and Jay’s friendship continued into adulthood. Jason met Randy when he was in middle school. They would fish and enjoy nightlife together, and the two remained best friends until the end.
Jay went the extra mile for his people, and when his uncle fell ill, Jay moved in with him. Jay cared for him for several years until his uncle’s passing.
In recent years, Jay was diagnosed with a rare, congenital, untreatable kidney disease. While his family was relieved he didn’t suffer final stages of his illness, the complex grief of losing two sons to substance use disorder changed them forever.
Jay’s parents, Janice Kaplan and Else Bettencourt, provided the information for this narrative.
June 1, 1975-June 13, 2023–Age 48
Portrait Artist: Jeremy Hebbel
Narrative Writer: Willow Kline
