Jay Fleishman, 75, Was Architect and Family Man

Jay Fleishman of Chilmark died in his home on March 3. Born in Boston on March 24, 1930, Jay's life ended near where it began. Nevertheless, during the intervening years he traveled far from Massachusetts, only settling on the Vineyard 10 years ago. He was 75.

Born to Sylvia and Robert Fleishman, Jay attended the Boston Latin School and later graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in architecture. Following graduation he continued his architectural studies in Milan, Italy, where he developed one of the five great loves of his life.

These five loves could be described as a slight obsession with all things Italian, a tireless conquest to tame the wilderness of his much-loved Chilmark property, an unwavering passion to transform the purposeful lines of his drawings into elegant buildings, and of course his friends and family. Jay constantly pursued these loves with great delight, leaving those he knew with a pleasant aftertaste of a life thoroughly lived.

On his return from Italy, Jay taught architecture at Cooper Union in New York city. Next he began his work at various architectural firms in the city, ending with HLW where he became a partner. At HLW Jay designed numerous buildings for banks and other businesses while still making time to pursue his home designs. Jay retired in 1995 and lived a year in Italy with his family. Moving to the Vineyard in 1996, he built an addition to his home in Chilmark, finally completing the house he had imagined but only started 30 years prior.

On the Vineyard Jay continued to fill his life with projects, perfecting the underbrush creeping into his hand-dug pond, working at the Martha's Vineyard Hebrew Center (where he also served as vice president), assisting with various building designs and becoming an involved member on several boards and committees in Chilmark. Although recently Jay had become less active, only a few weeks ago he could still be spotted wandering the woods, trimming the briars with his red clippers.

Described by many as a Renaissance man, Jay's intellect, insight, support, innovation, energy and humor will be greatly missed by all, especially his sister, Ellen, his wife, Martha, and his two daughters, Nina and Giulia.

Jay's interment and service took place in Chilmark on March 5. A celebration of his life followed at the Hebrew Center in Vineyard Haven.

Donations may be made in his name to Hospice of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 2549, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557 or to the American Institute of Architects.

Arrangements were under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.