Jay John Zagursky II

Brunswick - Jay John Zagursky II, with the heaviest of hearts, our family announces the sudden passing on April 27, 2026 of our beloved J.J. just three weeks after the passing of his revered father. He was the son of Karen Walsh Zagursky of Brunswick, NY and the late Jay John Zagursky and was born on April 10, 1979, in Troy, NY.

Jay will be remembered for his great love of his family and friends. His passion for service to community and country. His never ending thirst for travel and exploration of other countries. Learning their cultures, enjoying their cuisines and making new friends. Language was never a barrier for Jay. He loved sharing his many tales and exploits of those adventures.

He was intrigued with his heritage at an early age through the stories shared by his parents and grandparents. This curiosity led to his lifelong love of travel and quest for knowledge of different cultures. He was an experienced world traveler for study, work, service to others and personal pleasure. While a student at Brunswick Central School District’s Tamarac High School he studied Russian and Spanish languages, and later Armenian through the U.S. Department of State. At 17, he was a foreign exchange student for a semester in Moscow, Russia. The following year, he won the New York State Olympiada for written and spoken Russian language which included a month in Russia the summer before college.

Jay began studies at American University in 1997 earning a B.A. in Economics and International Relations and National Security Studies in 2001. He earned a Master of Science for Project Management at George Washington University in 2008. 

While attending American University, Jay served as an intern with Congressman Gerald Solomon, U. S. House Rules Committee. He was selected to participate with the European Union Semester at the Universite’ Catholicque de Louvain and was a Belgian Intern for NATO’s Partnership for Peace.

His career was mainly with the U. S. Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer and Contracting Officer at U. S. Embassies in Albania, Armenia, Costa Rica and the United States; USAID U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan and as Contracting Officer/Specialist for NATO Communications and Information Agency in the Hague, Netherlands. His work with the Government led to stints in North Korea, China and other countries.

It wasn’t all about work and travel. In his early years, Jay was as an Altar Server and Youth Christian Leader at Our Lady of Victory Church, Troy. He loved skiing whether in the US or abroad (Switzerland as a favorite), swimming, playing the drums (which he excelled), acting in school plays, playing on soccer and baseball teams. Jay enjoyed spending time with his friends, family and his times spent fishing with his Dad.

Jay is survived by his loving family, adoring mother Karen Walsh Zagursky; devoted sisters Teri Zagursky Glasser (Thomas) and Alexandria Zagursky Melaragno (James Badaloto); Uncles and Aunts Larry and Lois Walsh, Stephan and Rona Walsh; Proud uncle to Tara Glasser Hulbert (Eric); Tyler James Glasser (Stephanie Milos); Abagail M. Melaragno (David Venson); Nicholas Marchese Melaragno (Kayla LaBreck); doting great-uncle to Cooper and Luke Hulbert; Oliver Glasser; and Carson Venson. Cousin to Sean I. Walsh and Amy Walsh.

Jay is also survived by a host of friends including his beloved school friends who shared in his exuberance for life and who embarked on a lifelong journey with him, Lindsay Hayes Noll; Jaymie Czornyj-Lowe; William Powers; Steven Whaley; and Bradford Hunter.

Jay was predeceased by his cherished father Jay John Zagursky; his sister Kerrie Anne Zagursky (whom he missed dearly every day since her passing); Grandparents William C. Walsh and Marie Benedict Walsh and Alice (Alexandra) Zagursky Gaynor and Julius Zagursky.

Services for Jay will be held at a future date which will be published.

In lieu of flowers, if wished, donations in Jay’s memory may be made to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society 3 Oakland Avenue Menands, NY 12204 or National First Responders Wellness Foundation, Inc. 437 Girard Street Havre de Grace, MD 21078, both very important causes for Jay.  We recommend using the brycefuneralhome.com website to share or send condolences, light a candle, view a video or for service directions.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jay John Zagursky II, please visit our floral store.