October 10, 2025
October 10 was originally set to be a celebratory barbecue by the Teton Backcountry Alliance, which Jay Pistono was a founding board member of, to thank the long-time Teton Pass Ambassador for his dedicated service. But Jay passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, Sept. 17, after a long illness. To honor and remember Jay, TCBA is keeping Oct. 10 as a day to celebrate his life.
“Jay will always be part of Teton Pass,” says Linda Merigliano, a long-time friend of Jay’s and the recently retired Bridger-Teton National Forest Recreation Program Manager for the Jackson and Blackrock Districts. “His consistent presence, genuine care, and ability to cultivate relationships transformed the vibe on the Pass. He worked hard to build a community of ambassadors beyond himself and in doing so, built a foundation for safe and responsible use to keep access open. Let’s honor his legacy by continuing to promote his message of respect and humility, thinking about the consequences of actions, and spreading the good word.”
The potluck event will be held at Owen Bircher Park at 4:30 p.m. The celebration will include people sharing their memories, as well as music. In the event of bad weather, the event will be moved into the Old Wilson Schoolhouse. For information about the Jay Pistono Teton Pass Fund to support the ambassador program, contact TBCA.