Jay B. Davis

Jay Bishop Davis passed away peacefully in Portsmouth, NH on July 25th with his daughter Elizabeth and her fiancé Jeff by his side. He was 84. 

Jay grew up in suburban Philadelphia, PA, the son of Jehu Bishop Davis and M. Elizabeth Wink Davis. He attended Episcopal Academy in Philadelphia, where he was an all-around athlete, playing golf, soccer, and baseball. In his senior year, he was chosen captain of the golf team, a sport that would become a lifelong passion. Jay then attended Franklin & Marshall College. Upon graduation, Jay was drafted and served in the Army Reserve.

Jay had two daughters, Elizabeth and Meridyth, and became the primary caregiver for the girls when they were 4 and 5, a rarity in the early 70s. Jay was truly “Mr. Mom” long before the phrase was coined. 

Jay’s great passion for golf began when he started playing at Merion Golf Club at age 9, and was the Jr. Champion of Philadelphia at age 12. He won numerous tournaments at Merion and other clubs, and traveled extensively to play as often as possible. 

Jay was a banker in the Philadelphia area before retiring at age 55, the same year he met his partner Susan Nelson. They were together for 27 years and split their time between Jonathan’s Landing in Jupiter, FL, and Bald Peak Colony Club in Moultonborough, NH. 

Jay had a welcoming personality and a great smile for those around him. He was an avid reader and enjoyed tinkering around the yard, completing the daily puzzles each morning, and playing golf with his friends at Bald Peak and Jonathan’s Landing. 

Predeceased by daughter Meridyth (2020) and partner Susan (2022), he is survived by his loving daughter Elizabeth, her fiancé Jeff Lombardi, and twin grandchildren Davis and Grayson McIntyre of Greenwich, CT. A proud grandfather, he attended both of their college graduations in May. He is also survived by cousin Lee Davis of Narberth, PA, Deborah Davis of Jacksonville, FL, and step-sisters Susan Clough and Penny La Raia. 

Services will be held in Philadelphia and Jupiter, Florida, in October. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, CT, to his daughter’s endowed fund, The Meridyth L. Davis Memorial Patient Financial Aid Fund.