Jay Lorenzo Stahl III

 Jay Lorenzo Stahl III passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, at Liberty Commons in Chatham, Massachusetts, at the age of 96, surrounded by the love of family and dear friends.

Born in Hershey, Pennsylvania, in 1930 to Florence Feezer Stahl and Jay Lorenzo Stahl Jr., Jay's early life was closely intertwined with the legacy of Hershey Chocolate. His father, Vice President of Sales for the Hershey Company, was among those entrusted with testing Hershey chocolate bars developed for U.S. soldiers during World War II — an experience that became a cherished family story and a source of lifelong pride.

 Jay graduated from Dartmouth College in 1952 with a degree in Psychology. While there, he was set up on a blind date with Charlotte "Coobie" Cobb, a member of the distinguished Cobb family of Stage Harbor Road in Chatham (the Corn Crib), then a student at nearby Colby Junior College. Their courtship and subsequent marriage in 1952 began Jay's lifelong love affair with Chatham, a place that would eventually become his cherished home.

 Following graduation, Jay served honorably in the United States Army Chemical Corps, exemplifying the sense of duty, integrity, and service that would define his life.

 Jay enjoyed a distinguished career with Union Carbide in human resources and salary administration. His work took him and his growing family from Sterling Forest (New York), Colorado, and Manhattan and eventually to assignments throughout Latin America and Asia. The family embraced expatriate life in Mexico and Hong Kong, experiences that broadened Jay's worldview and fostered a lifelong appreciation for other cultures and people.

 In 1992, Jay and Charlotte retired to Chatham, anticipating a quieter chapter of life. Retirement, however, proved brief. Jay was asked to serve as Executive Director of the Chatham Chamber of Commerce and, with Charlotte's enthusiastic support, accepted the position. Through his practical leadership, collaborative spirit, and unwavering dedication to the community, he transformed the Chamber by launching a regular newsletter, creating a professionally designed visitors' guide, establishing group insurance opportunities for Chamber members, creating a committee to help design the Chatham town flag, and securing a permanent home for the Chamber in the historic Bassett House. His contributions helped shape the Chamber into a stronger and more vibrant organization.

 Charlotte's unexpected passing in 1994 marked a profound turning point. Drawing strength from the community he loved, Jay immersed himself in civic life and, in time, found love again with his devoted partner, Joyce Williams. They enjoyed many adventure travels in New Zealand, Namibia, Costa Rica, and Patagonia, while also looking forward to biennial theater trips to London with the Friends of Monomoy Theater.

 Jay believed deeply in giving back. As a dedicated volunteer with Friends of Chatham Waterways, he took great pride in monitoring local water quality, faithfully piloting his beloved little boat, Sea Squirt, through Oyster Pond and Oyster River to collect samples. Protecting Chatham's natural beauty became one of his many quiet acts of stewardship.

 Few people could stroll through downtown Chatham with Jay without stopping every few steps as he greeted friends, neighbors, and newcomers alike. He never hurried past a familiar face, always offering a warm smile, a wave, or a thoughtful conversation. His genuine kindness and easy warmth left lasting impressions on everyone he met.

 Faith and music were lifelong passions. A devoted member of the First Congregational Church of Chatham, Jay found great joy singing in the choir, where his clear tenor voice became a familiar and beloved presence. Even during his years at Liberty Commons, he delighted fellow residents and staff by spontaneously breaking into song. He was a proud member of the Chatham Chorale and especially treasured singing with We Are The Men, a local Welsh men's choir. Among the many highlights of his musical life was performing, in both English and Welsh, at London's Royal Albert Hall in 2018.

 Jay was also an avid tennis player, from his days at the Monroe Tennis Club in New York to Willie's Gym in Eastham, Massachusetts. He cherished the friendships forged on the court and was often the organizer — coordinating matches, recruiting substitutes, and making sure everyone had a chance to play. Even after knee problems forced him to retire from tennis in his nineties, he remained one of the group's most enthusiastic supporters.

 A true Renaissance man, Jay approached life with boundless curiosity, humor, generosity, and optimism. His many pursuits reflected both his intellect and his commitment to others. He taught psychology at a community college, served as Mayor of the Village of Monroe, New York, mentored young people through Junior Achievement, and became an engaged civic leader in every community he called home. During his tenure as mayor, he helped bring a historic F-86L Sabre jet fighter to the town park, where generations of local children delighted in climbing and playing on the aircraft. A graceful ice skater from his youth hockey days and an accomplished cornet and trumpet player, Jay's talents and interests were as varied as they were enduring.

 Jay was predeceased by his beloved wife, Charlotte Cobb Stahl; his parents, Florence and Jay Lorenzo Stahl Jr.; and his sisters, Janice, Muriel, and Beverly.

 He is lovingly remembered by his four children and their spouses: Melissa and Marty, Jay C. and Antonia, Nancellen and Jerry, and Martha Jayne and Bill. He was the proud grandfather of Monica, Martha Kate, Becket, Calista, Colby, Kendall, Carson, Charlotte, and Gavin; great-grandfather of Isis, Stella, Paige, Zoe, and Riley; and great-great-grandfather of Luna and Sol.

 Jay's greatest legacy was not measured by the many titles he held or accomplishments he achieved, but by the countless lives he enriched through his kindness, integrity, humor, generosity, and unwavering devotion to family, friends, and community. He possessed a rare gift for making others feel welcome, valued, and heard. He lived fully, served selflessly, sang joyfully, and embraced each day with curiosity and gratitude.

 He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever held in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him.

 A celebration of Jay's life will be held at the First Congregational Church of Chatham on Friday, October 23rd at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jay's memory may be made to:
We Are The Men, MVC, 26 Meadow Spring Drive, E. Sandwich, MA 02537
Chatham Chorale, Inc., P.O. Box 1111, West Dennis, MA 02670