Travis Jordan Blau

Travis Jordan Blau, 36, of Lewes, Delaware, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family. Born on October 4, 1989, in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Travis was a man whose life was shaped not by the illness he carried, but by the remarkable heart and unrelenting will with which he carried it.

Travis was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a child, but from the very beginning, he refused to let the disease stand in his way. Where others might have seen limitations, Travis saw something to push through. He carried himself with a quiet, almost stubborn determination that set the tone for everything he would go on to do.

Before pursuing a second bachelor's degree in English at Kean University, Travis earned a degree in Sports Management from Mount Saint Mary's College. He launched his professional career as an English teacher in Passaic, New Jersey, bringing the same passion and heart to his students that he brought to every part of his life. Alongside his teaching, Travis also dedicated his time as a lacrosse coach at Parsippany Hills and at Felician University, mentoring young athletes and leaving a lasting mark on everyone he coached.

All the while, Travis continued to wage his battle against cystic fibrosis with a resolve that astounded everyone who knew him. Nothing could slow him down, not the disease, not the endless treatments, and not even a double lung transplant. In a moment that perfectly captured who Travis was, even in the weeks before his transplant surgery, he was still showing up to CrossFit workouts with an oxygen tank on his back. That was Travis. He simply would not accept the concept of quitting. His story caught the attention of the Boomer Esiason Foundation, one of the nation's leading cystic fibrosis organizations, who featured Travis as a shining example of what resilience and determination look like.

On October 4, 2016, his 27th birthday, Travis received the gift of a double lung transplant, a second chance at life that he grabbed hold of with everything he had. He threw himself back into CrossFit, pushed his new lungs to their limits, and became a source of hope and inspiration for the entire CF community. Travis later built a successful career as a Consultant at Deloitte, where he earned the deep respect of his colleagues for his professionalism, dedication, and tireless work ethic. Travis was an avid sports fan, a lifelong New York Yankees devotee, a passionate Duke Blue Devils college basketball supporter, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers whose love of the game was contagious to those around him.

Above all else, Travis was devoted to his family. He was a loving and faithful husband to Diana, his rock, his partner, and his greatest source of strength through every hospital stay, every setback, and every victory. Together they built a beautiful home and a beautiful life in Lewes, Delaware. Travis was the kind of father who showed his children what courage looks like simply by the way he lived each day. To his daughter Francesca, 3, and his son Carmelo, 1, he was everything. He poured his whole heart into every moment with them and cherished the family they were building together. Travis also shared a special bond with his beloved dog, Roxy.

Those who knew Travis will remember his kind heart, his warmth, and his gift for making everyone around him feel like they mattered. He loved spending time with family and friends, traveling to new places, and filling life with memories worth holding onto. Even on the hardest days, Travis met the world with humor, grace, and a deep belief that every day was worth showing up for.

Travis is survived by his loving wife, Diana Blau; his cherished children, Francesca and Carmelo; his father, Wayne Blau and his wife Jill; his mother, Stacey Romano and her husband Paul; his sister, Jessica Vona; his brother-in-law, Justin Vona; his in-laws, Victor, Mia, and Joseph Scalici; his nephew and godson, Matthew Vona; his nephew, James Vona; his niece and goddaughter, Teresa Vona; his niece, Lilly Scalici; his in-laws, Diana and Victor Scalici; and his beloved dog, Roxy.

Travis proved every single day that cystic fibrosis would not have the final word. He showed up for his family, for his students, for his athletes, and for everyone who needed him, with a strength that was as quiet as it was extraordinary. Though his time with us was far too brief, the legacy he leaves behind is immeasurable. Travis fought for every breath he took, and he made every one of them count.

Funeral service details will be announced.

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