Jay Grossman, 60

Jay Grossman died on March 17, at the age of 60 after a difficult battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his son, Justin, and his fiancée, Natty; his daughter, Avery and her husband, Beau; his sister, Leah; and his nieces, Gabby, Dana and Melanie, and nephew, Eli.

Jay was a devoted husband and an extraordinary father who gave his family every opportunity and never asked anything in return. Caring for and providing for those he loved was at the heart of who he was. He instilled in us a spirit of adventure, curiosity, positivity and humor that we will always carry and cherish even though he is no longer with us.

Beyond his family, Jay was fiercely loyal in all aspects of his life: as a friend, teammate and in his work as a sports agent. His determination to advocate for the people he cared about and trusted was unwavering. We can attest to the long hours he spent fighting for his clients on the phone, even if it meant climbing up the highest rock on Lucy Vincent beach so he could get cell service.

He maintained lifelong friendships to which he spoke with daily, and never took himself too seriously, always making sure those around him were having a good time.

After moving from New York to Martha’s Vineyard full time, he found a close-knit community on the tennis courts and worked hard to keep it connected, always welcoming to all, whether they played tennis or not, and one that he hoped would stay together for years to come.

Sports were central to Jay’s life. From playing hockey in his youth and coaching as a young adult, to teaching his children to hit a baseball, ski and skate, to playing Chilmark softball every Sunday, sports connected him to so many. When we would ski together in Vermont, Jay would lead the way down the least trodden trails, always going first to see if any danger lay ahead. He was a true trailblazer, but an unselfish one — wanting to clear the path ahead to create memorable experiences for those he loved.

Since his diagnosis, our family has been deeply moved by the outpouring of support from friends and community near and far. Jay was touched by every visit, meal and call just to say hi, and the love surrounding him reflects how much he and his wife Nancy mean to so many. More than anything else, Jay loved to have fun and that spirit was infectious and was always central to what he wanted to share with those around him.

As we remember him and grieve his loss far too soon, we honor him by doing what he would want — embracing adventure, staying curious and above all, having fun.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 20 at 11 a.m. at Abel’s Hill Cemetery with a service and shiva to follow at noon at the Chilmark Community Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: LMD Foundation (lmcancer.org/jay-grossman); Dr. Boire at MSK for LMD Research (mskcc.convio.net/goto/JayGrossman); Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Infusion Center Services (giving.mvhospital.org/ — please select “Jay Grossman Fund for Cancer Care”