Jayson F. Sellers

Jayson F. Sellers, age 75, passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at his home in Plainville, Massachusetts. Born in Grove City, Pennsylvania on January 15, 1950, he was the son of Norman and Elise Marie (Christiansen) Sellers. Jayson was raised in Walpole, Massachusetts, where he attended the local public schools. Summers were spent north of the Canadian border, visiting with his grandparents in Denbigh, Ontario. He made many fond memories at their cabin on the lake, along with his cherished sisters Gail, Kristin, and Trudy. At home during the school year, Jayson was a three-season sportsman, playing soccer, ice hockey, and tennis.

After graduating from Walpole High School with the class of 1968, Jayson continued his education at the Collegiate Academy Prep School in Washington, DC, before enrolling at Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey. While at Upsala, Jayson was a captain of the tennis team, building a strong bond with his coaches and teammates in between serves. In 1973, Jayson graduated from Upsala College with his bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Tennis was a passion throughout Jayson's youth, so it was only natural that it continued into his adulthood. Having worked so well together during his years at Upsala, Jayson joined his mentor in teaching tennis. This eventually brought him to upstate New York and later New Jersey, inspiring athletes along the eastern seaboard. He also competed internationally, traveling to Germany, Portugal, and Denmark for tennis tournaments.

In 1985, Jayson returned to Massachusetts and joined his father, Norman, at his Walpole real estate office. Jayson enjoyed working for the family business and became a licensed realtor, but his true love for tennis never waned. He held various office jobs over the years and even served as a waiter at Traditions of Dedham, but inevitably, he would always find a way to be involved with his beloved sport. He enjoyed playing at Dedham Health and Athletic Club and taught tennis for many clubs and programs in Massachusetts, including the Westwood Recreation Department and the Wimbledon 109 Tennis Club in Walpole.

Jayson was thrilled to be a father, with his girls Erin and Jillian being the true highlight of his life. He was a patient, loving, and funny Dad. He loved spending time with his girls on family trips, visiting Bermuda, Cancun, Ireland, Chicago, and Canada. He shared his love of his favorite sport with his children and enjoyed coaching them on the court. He loved watching tennis tournaments and accomplished two of his bucket list items by visiting Grand Slam stadiums Wimbledon in London and Roland Garros in Paris with his daughter Erin in 2017. Off the court, he and Jillian shared a deep bond over their love of country music, with Zac Brown Band holding a special place in their hearts.

After raising his daughters in Mansfield, Jayson moved to Plainville, Massachusetts in 2016 and took a much-deserved retirement in 2022. In his free time, he enjoyed watching Boston sports, especially the Bruins and the Patriots. He also enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles, reading books, solving word searches, playing ping pong, and visiting the Plainville Senior Center. Most of all, though, he loved spending time with his daughters and time on the tennis court, of course!

Jayson is survived by his daughters Erin M. Sellers and her partner Christopher DiFonzo of Denver, Colorado, and Jillian M. Sellers of Chicago, Illinois, and their mother, Sarah L. (Mulroy) Sellers.

He is also survived by his sisters Gail M. Sellers of Walpole, Kristin L. Morrison (partner Scott MacLachlan) of Harwich, and Trudy S. Stefansson (husband Hilmar) of Walpole, and many loving nieces, nephews, in-laws and friends.

He was predeceased by brother-in-law Malcolm “Danny” Morrison.

At the request of Jayson's family, all services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jayson's name may be made to Sportsmen’s Tennis & Enrichment Center at https://sportsmenstennis.org/donate/

Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.