Jay Cooke III

Jay III was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 25, 1945 to the late Nancy (Ellis) Cooke and Jay Cooke where the family lived on a farm in Wayne, Illinois until he was 15 when the family moved to Gloucester, MA.

Jay III, also known as Sandy, attended Wayne Elementary School, gr 1-6, Wayne Ill, Emerson School for Boys, gr 7-8, Exetor, NH, Governor Dummer Academy gr 9-12, Byfield, MA, and Babson College, Wellesley, MA.

Jay (Sandy) was a business owner who never lost his love for the ocean. He sailed the New England coastline in both sailing vessels and motor vessels. Since the 1990s, he wintered in the warmth and sunshine of California, yachting on his sailing vessel, Thunderhead, a Hinckley Bermuda 40. In summers, he island-hopped around Buzzards Bay, MA, in his 30’ Black Watch Kujo.

In addition to his daughter Sage Ellis Cooke, he is survived by his sister, Midge (Cooke) Gravelese and brother-in-law Alan James Gravelese of Beverly, MA, his nephews Gordon S. Gravelese of Peabody, MA, and Timothy James Gravelese of Beverly, MA, his sister-in-law Madeline Barrows Cooke of Marion, MA, his niece Elise A. (Cooke) Stokes of Franklin, MA, his nephew Jay Groverman Cooke of Milton, MA, and many cousins in California, Connecticut, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Wyoming. He is preceded in death by his brother, Groverman Ellis Cooke.

A memorial service is planned for September at Beechbrook Cemetery, 401 Essex Avenue, Gloucester, MA.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Schooner Adventure, 23, Harbor Loop, Gloucester, MA 01930