John Joseph “Jay” Wolf passed away on August 22, 2026, in Decatur, Georgia.
Born in Winthrop, Jay spent his childhood happily sailing his Radar in the Boston Harbor Islands out of Cottage Park Yacht Club, skiing New Hampshire’s mountains and cheering Boston sports teams through ups and downs – passions he carried through life.
He graduated from Winthrop High School and earned a B.A. from Saint Anselm College. Early adulthood brought a decision to join the Maryknoll Society — officially the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America — and he moved to Chicago, where he served and taught underserved youth. He decided his true calling was having a family of his own, and soon after met the love of his life, Joan. After service in the Army, he and Joan married and fulfilled their dream of starting a family, welcoming daughter, Kristen, and son, John.
A bright and driven business technologist, he began his career with Honeywell IT, later working for Ross Perot at EDS, Lincoln Life, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and lastly Tel Plus/Siemens/Océ, where he headed North America Information Systems as Chief Information Officer for 17 years. His professional life brought many opportunities, including the chance to live around the country from Marblehead, Massachusetts, to Fairfield, Connecticut, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Duxbury, Massachusetts, and Boca Raton, Florida. He and Joan later retired to Gainesville, Georgia, where they enjoyed an active and tight community of friends and neighbors.
Jay’s love of sailing, water, and adventure remained constant. He crewed the Nerfititi in Marblehead. He became an avid fisherman, fishing through the Caribbean and at home off the Florida coast and lakes in Georgia. He and Joan traveled extensively with friends and family throughout the world, including Ireland, Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Kuwait.
Jay lived his life with deep faith, natural curiosity, and a sharp wit. Anyone who had the pleasure of spending time with Jay would be treated to a good story and – inevitably – a hearty laugh.
His greatest source of pride was his family. He is survived by his children, Kristen McDonald (Patrick) and John J. Wolf, Jr. (Marti); cherished grandchildren, Harper Wolf, Kate Wolf, Connor McDonald, Davis McDonald, and Hadley McDonald; beloved sisters, Karen Moore and Nola Wolf Harrington; his adored nieces, nephew and cousins. Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Gustave Henry and Marie Wolf; his in-laws, Maurice and Ruth Hungerville; his wife of 50 years, Joan; his cherished aunt, C. Florence Nolan; and his brothers-in-law, Frederic Potts Moore III and Walter Gerard Harrington.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank Agape Care Group Hospice and Allied Homecare Service Inc. for their compassionate care.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 14th at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Decatur, Georgia. Donations in his memory may be made to his favorite charity, St.Jude’s Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/), Bendeshe’s Village (https://www.bendeshesvillage.com/), or the charity of your choice.