Jay died of liver cancer Sept. 14, 2006.
Coming to Princeton from Philadelphia’s Central High School and majoring in English, Jay participated in Naval ROTC and was a member of the Nassoons and Key and Seal. In his illustrious 26-year naval career, he visited Hanoi six times to escort POWs —including Arizona Sen. John McCain — home. He served in Taiwan, the Mekong Delta, Germany, Italy, and at the Pentagon. Upon his retirement he received the Defense Distinguished Service Medal.
Jay had a gift for languages (he was fluent in eight), storytelling, and dealing with people. He regaled in Tom Jones-style gastronomic experiences in Washington society as a member of L’Accademia Italiana della Cucina and the Cogswell Society (a drinking group honoring a temperance crusader). With a master’s in communications from Boston University, Jay was well-suited for his career in public relations.
Jay also maintained his tenor voice, spontaneously breaking into song at Washington restaurants — including a Neapolitan song at a charity dinner with Luciano Pavarotti.
After retiring from the Navy he started a public relations consulting firm and married Patrisha Davis-Coupe. Patrisha has established the Jay Coupe ’62 Memorial Scholarship Fund in his honor (see webmaster@princeton62.org). Jay was buried Nov. 8 at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.