John Palfrey Ayer, Jr.

May 3, 1952 - February 13, 2021

On Saturday, February 13th 2021, John Palfery Ayer Jr. passed away at the age of 68.

John was born in Boston MA to John Palfrey Ayer Sr. and Lee Zimmermann Ayer. From an early age, John pursued music. He graduated from the Hartt College of Music with a double major in Organ and Choral Conducting, received two master’s degrees in Organ and Sacred Music from Southern Methodist University, and pursued doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music. In 1985, John married Diane Meredith Belcher, with whom he had three sons.

John was the founding director of the Memphis Boychoir and the Memphis Chamber Choir. His recordings with his Memphis choirs and their frequent performances received international acclaim. His other positions include Interim Organist-Choirmaster at Princeton’s Trinity Church, Director of Music & Organist at Readington Reformed Church in Readington, and later at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Maplewood. In 2008, John remarried Jennifer Jernstedt Ayer and the family grew with the addition of Jennifer’s three children.

John was known throughout the years as a charismatic and exuberant director, an inspiring and sensitive organist, and a caring mentor of both young and adult musicians. He had an infectious laugh that brought joy to those who knew him. John had a life-long love for sailing, tennis, and spending time amongst family and friends in Wareham, MA.

John was preceded in death by his mother Lee and father John. He is survived by his wife Jennifer, and their six children, David Krol, James Ayer, John Ayer III, Roger Krol, Gwendolyn Krol, Christian Ayer, his brother Nathaniel Ayer and sister Katherine Mann.

Complete life celebration arrangements will be announced at a later date under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. Please check back on this page for updated information.

You are encouraged to visit John’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to John’s favorite charity – St Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

On Saturday, February 13th 2021, John Palfery Ayer Jr. passed away at the age of 68. John was born in Boston MA to John Palfrey Ayer Sr. and Lee Zimmermann Ayer. From an early age, John pursued music. He graduated from the Hartt College of Music with a double major in Organ and Choral Conducting,Continue Reading

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My name is Carlos Baptiste and I am just now finding out that John passed away 3 years ago. I am absolutely shocked. I'm the violinist who would perform with John at the Christmas eve services at St George's church. I now live in England but the last time I performed with John was the Christmas eve service of 2019. I have very fond memories of John who was a wonderful musician and just a really nice sweet man and I will always remember those fine performances we always gave. My deepest condolences to the family. Kind regards and blessings Carlos Baptiste Violinist

For several years prior to relocating to Memphis, I had privately and solemnly observed a personal tradition of listening to my recording of the 1964 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. John's presentation of this Service in 1998 was my first opportunity to attend a live rendering of it!! And I was absolutely thrilled to sing it with John's choir twice before he left Memphis. Those were marvelous, indelible experiences--and I am grateful that I told him so on several occasions. Soli Deo gloria!!

Missing you, John, and remembering the party at Bosco's. Lots of love, laughter, corny jokes, and you being you. Raising a glass to you, dear friend.

So sorry to just now learn of my former Hartt School classmate's passing :(

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Thanks for the endless musical enrichment you brought to us all and for the personal encouragement you gave me through the years, John. My love to the entire family!

Sending my heartfelt love and condolences to the Ayer family. I feel so fortunate to have been a friend of John's. He changed my life for the better. I will never forget him!!!

To the Ayer family. It was an honor to get to know you all!!! My heart goes out to all of you. John was an amazing human!!!

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.