John Blossom

John D. Blossom III, "Jay", passed away on Monday, September 7 at University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, WI from complications associated with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD).

Jay was surrounded in love and prayer by his family at the time of his passing. Jay is survived by two children Jane (age 12) and John IV "Jeb" (age 10); the mother of his children, Jaime Blossom; his mother, Susan Canterbury (husband Ross); his father, John D. Blossom, Jr. (wife Linda); his sister, Amelia "Amy" Blossom Lomas (husband David); two nieces, Megan and Kaitlyn Lomas; his nephew, Ryan Lomas; and two stepbrothers, Carter and Clay Canterbury. Jay was a loving father, son, brother, and uncle and will be deeply missed by those whose lives he touched.

Jay was born on February 22, 1967 in Peoria, IL. He spent his childhood years in Peoria, and his summers in Door County, Wisconsin at the Blossom family cottage. He had many friendships in both places, and was known for his charm and personality. He graduated from Richwoods High School in 1985.

Jay attended Bradley University in Peoria, IL and Eureka College in Eureka, IL. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1984, and during basic training at Cape May, New Jersey served as a member of the Honor Guard of the Drill Team and was selected as "Outstanding Military Citizen" of his class. He served as Petty Officer, was qualified as boat crew and coxswain, and remained active with the Coast Guard Reserves for several years.

Jay established his home in Door County, WI. He established the Door County Ice Cream Factory in Sister Bay, Wisconsin in 1992, creating its reputation for serving extra-premium ice cream made locally. After the Ice Cream Factory, he started IceCreamSource.com, specializing in shipping specialty premium ice cream to individuals and businesses across the country from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and was awarded "Maverick of the Morning" by Maria Bartiromo on CNN Financial News.

He was Broker Partner/Co-Founder of Properties of Door County, LLC, which for many years was a top producing real estate agency, focusing on high end and specialty properties in Door County. Jay was appointed a Member of the Liberty Grove Town Board, serving on the Highway Committee and the Parks and Properties Committee. He also served as a member of the Liberty Grove Fire Board. He was a great believer in Door County, its physical and social resources, and its economic importance as a vacation and retirement center.

He was an unusually competent boater, a serious Green Bay Packers fan and a Packers stockholder. He enjoyed shooting and friendships at Peninsula Gun Club in Door County for several years.

A Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 19th at the Church of the Atonement Episcopal Church in Fish Creek, WI. A reception for family and friends will be held following the service from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm at Alexander's Restaurant. A service will be held in Peoria at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Saturday, October 24 at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation in Jay's memory to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration ( www.theaftd.org ) or to the GO BO Foundation ( www.gobofoundation.org ) in Sturgeon Bay, WI. Information about FTD can be found at www.theaftd.org .


Cress Funeral and Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434