Joseph Edward Jerome of Edgartown died Sunday, Sept. 1 from complications from a lifelong illness. He was 24.

Joseph attended the Edgartown School and graduated from the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, Class of 2008, and attended the University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth. Although he spent a summer as an Edgartown summer traffic officer, his illness prevented him from pursuing his dream of serving in the U.S. Military and law enforcement.

Joseph loved golf and played on the golf team in his first year at the regional high school. He was passionate about baseball and loved the years spent playing on his school team in elementary school and watching his beloved Red Sox win their first World Series. He was always found in front of the TV on game day poised and ready for victory. When Joseph wasn’t watching baseball or golf, he was engrossed in one of the many crime-solving, shows watching and learning.

Joseph enjoyed politics and spirited discussions about current events. He had a passion for a variety of music and could often be found listening to anyone from Kenny Chesney to Frank Sinatra and Jack Johnson.

Joseph inspired many of the professionals who cared for him because of his courage and ability to fight such adversity. He was deeply grateful to the loving and compassionate staff of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and the incredible care of pediatrician Dr. Melanie Miller and the staff of Boston Children’s Hospital and Dr. Menno Verhave. They were his safe haven in time of pain and discomfort.

In past years Joseph’s illness prevented him from participating in the many activities that he enjoyed, but his deep love of family and friends and this island that was his home brought him much joy.

Joseph is survived by his loving and devoted parents, Edward and Maryanne, and brother, Nicholas, as well as his grandparents Roy and Ginny Langley of Edgartown; his numerous aunts and uncles, Mayor Peter and JoAnn Elco of Absecon, N.J., Roy and Kathy Langley of Charlotte, N.C, Jackie Driscoll of Edgartown, Brendan and Lisa Langley of Edgartown, Betsy and Larry Stabler of Chevy Chase, Md., Merrill and Jamie Langley of Edgartown and Justin and Sue Langley of Edgartown; his loving cousins, Danny Magee, Lori, Kyle Shane, Ethan and Julie Rebstock, Blaine Elco, Roy and Keenan Langley, Will, Charlotte and Peter Stabler, Caroline and Jack Langley, and Catharine, Merrill and Charlie Langley; and numerous friends on and off-Island. He was predeceased by grandparents Joseph and Anna Jerome of Absecon, N.J.

Joseph’s funeral service will be held on Sunday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. at the Old Whaling Church, on Main street in Edgartown. A visitation will be held on Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, on Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road in Oak Bluffs. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in Joseph’s name is currently being created to assist Island families with children suffering with medical conditions in their time of need. Please send all inquiries to josephjeromememorialfund@gmail.com.

An online guest book is available at ccgfuneralhome.com.