Obituary: Jason Alexander Taylor, 27

The following remembrance of the life of Jason Alexander Taylor was submitted by his parents, Lynda and Harry Taylor.

Although we have lost our beloved Jason Alexander Taylor at age 27 to a tragic ski accident at Keystone Resort on Elk Run in Colorado on January 20, 2016, his bright memory will forever surround us and light our way.

Jay, the son of Lynda and Harry Taylor, was born in Massachusetts on June 24, 1988, and was raised in Manchester-by-the-Sea. He would eventually live in Southern California and Portland, Oregon before traveling the world to explore the beauty of nature and the excitement of adventure. By way of his travels, he would return to the United States with an appreciation for his homeland as the best country to find all that he loved.

Jay recently relocated to Boulder, Colorado where he found happiness in living close to nature, and in pursuing his passions for rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking and skiing. He was an exceptional athlete, thriving on being active and training diligently to reach new goals. He dreamed of becoming a BASE Jumper and Wingsuit Flyer, and was ecstatic to have completed his first skydiving jump in May of 2015.

He lived intensely, thoughtfully, practically and freely. He was a humble man of great integrity with a compassionate and generous heart. Jay held a profound commitment to personal sacrifice in order to achieve his dreams and goals. Jay savored life. He knew, always, how cherished he was, while mutually expressing his love for family. He was a loyal friend and confidant, embracing friendships from all walks of life.

As a child, he was recognized as a deep thinker, and would later set an example by always looking to the positive. He so often made his family and friends laugh, and brought light into a room in an instant by his playful energy. Even while living at a distance, he made sure to brighten the lives of others by staying connected. We will miss his voice, his loving presence, his wisdom, his humor and his joyful heart.

Throughout his life, Jay and his brother Trevor were the very best of friends. Growing up closely together, they talked daily, skied together for well over 20 years, hiked and adventured. They had mutual friends, and shared the love of nature with independent, yet nearly identical, personalities.

Jay worked side by side with his father, Harry, in building his glass art business. They consulted together about travel planning, and with Trevor, formed a trio to trouble shoot around the latest mechanical challenge with their cars, whether local or from a distance. Jay helped his father with projects around the home, and recently completed a much needed masonry job that will last for many years.

Jay had a close relationship with his mother, Lynda, by way of sharing his dreams and goals, and then setting out to seek them in an ever-larger sphere. A devoted brother to his sister, Allie, and brother-in-law, Ryan, he was a source of steady love for their happiness, and their young children delighted in Uncle Jay’s visits. He was a fun loving and patient teacher, and hoped to take his nephews and niece mountain climbing one day.

Jay quietly pursued his dedication to his dreams, which he held dear. He achieved many of his goals, to include rock climbing in Thailand, Utah, Colorado, Oregon and California. His first solo climb was Mt. Whitney, and he trekked Mt. Everest in Nepal to over 18,000 feet, in addition to climbing and hiking in the East. His signature one-hand handstand upon summiting the highest peaks captured his delight in his athletic and spiritual achievements. One of his greatest passions was Yosemite and its climbing community. He considered living there before thoughtfully choosing Colorado, but planned to return to climb at Yosemite in 2016.

As a very young child, he was intrigued by art, and would become a successful, self-taught glass artist. His work is a living expression of exquisite form, beauty, function, balance and precision. He ensured only flawless pieces of his work left his bench in his name, and so is a highly respected member of the glass art community for such skill, talent and commitment to quality. Jay generously shared his knowledge and helped to teach his craft to others. He experienced tremendous joy in capturing nature through his photography, as yet another form of his enduring art. Jay's legacy includes, in part, his inspiration to so many to live life fully, experience adventure, and love deeply.

Jay always found his smile in his love of family and in friendship. In addition to his parents, Lynda and Harry, he leaves his dear siblings to cherish his memories and carry the lessons he gifted to each of us in his brief but accomplished life. His brother, Trevor Taylor of Somerville, Massachusetts, his sister, Allison Taylor Mannle and brother-in-law, Ryan Mannle, of Darien, Connecticut, nephew, Stafford Mannle, niece, Carolina Mannle, and twin nephews, Brooks Mannle and Conrad Mannle are mourning his loss. He also leaves his aunt, Claire Taylor Cassella (John) of Salem, Massachusetts, and cousins, Megan Cassella Hand (Tom) of Stowe, Vermont, and Kate Cassella Kirk (Pat) of Hingham, Massachusetts. All who knew Jay will miss his endearing warmth, smile, and passion for life. He was predeceased by paternal grandparents, Matilda and Henry Taylor, and maternal grandmother, Ann Weston, all of West Hartford, Connecticut.

Jay attended Manchester schools before graduating from North Shore Technical High School, and attending Franklin Pierce University.

A memorial service to honor his life will be celebrated at Grace Episcopal Church in Salem, Massachusetts on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 11 AM, with a reception to follow at Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Jay Taylor Memorial Fund, which has been established specifically to help assist and support the glass art and rock climbing communities. Checks may be made payable to the “Jay Taylor Memorial Fund” and sent to Santander Bank, 17 Union Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA 01944.