Joseph Davis

1932 - 2021

Joseph Davis

Sarasota - Joseph "Jay" Davis passed away on Aug. 31, 2021. He was 88 years old and had lived in Sarasota since 2014

Jay was born in New York City on Oct. 10, 1932. He grew up in Mount Vernon, New York and attended the Choate School, graduating in 1950. He took his Ba degree from Dartmouth College, graduating in 1954. He was drafted into the Army following graduation from college and after basic training was sent to Fort Holabird in Baltimore, Maryland for Counter Intelligence Corps training. He was stationed in Tokyo, Japan and was honorably discharged in 1962.

Jay then entered the Graduate School of Business Administration at New York University, graduating with an MBA degree in 1962. In 1964 he met Martha Glenn from Detroit, Michigan. In 1965 they were married in New York City at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

Jay began his advertising career in the early-1960s, spending ten years at Young & Rubicam in New York where he worked on packaged goods accounts. He became interested in medical advertising, and in 1985 Jay joined Medicus, a division of DMB/B as Managing Director of Consumer Advertising for pharmaceutical accounts. He became a strong advocate of prescription drug advertising to consumers and has been written about as a pioneer in this field. Jay's work changed the way many prescription drugs are marketed today. The category has grown exponentially since his initial efforts.

After retirement, Jay and Martha moved to Vermont where he was a part-time ski instructor for 20 years. He loved to teach. In the adult education program at Dartmouth College Jay taught a very popular course on local 18th century farm cellars and stone walls. He also taught a course on Christopher Columbus which he continued to teach after moving to Florida.

Jay was devoted to his wife Martha, two sons, Joshua and Christopher, and three grandchildren. A private burial ceremony will take place in Connecticut. Donations should be sent to the Salvation Army, Sarasota County.