Today, legendary ’80s vert skater and host of Vans’ ” Loveletters To Skateboarding” Jeff Grosso passed away at his home (1968-2020). We don’t have any details right now, but our deepest condolences go out to his family, close friends, and all his fans around the world during this heavy time. Jeff was a unique, funny, opinionated motherfucker that loved skateboarding and always kept the true spirit of it alive. His Love Letters show was a way for him to educate the youth and future generations of where that spirit and attitude came from so that it could carry on in some fashion and not be forgotten, and we loved him for that. He always spoke for the outcast, misfits, weirdos that made skateboarding so great and special. He was the people’s champ! Man, this one hurts.

Here are some words from around the industry:

“Jeff was a true skateboarder at his core, and a great wealth of entertainment, insight and valuable philosophy to a younger generation. I was lucky enough to skate with him over the last four decades and occasionally featured on his Vans “Love Letters” series. Jeff had a genuine love of skateboarding and a renegade attitude. One of the last times we spoke, we talked about how ridiculous it is that we still get to do this for a living and that anyone even cares what we do or think in terms of skateboarding at our age. I believe Jeff is a big reason that anyone truly cares, and skateboarding was lucky to have him as an ambassador and gatekeeper to its history. He was also a great father, which is obvious in his last social media post. Thank you Jeff, words cannot describe how much we will miss you.”-Tony Hawk

“Thank You my friend, I love you & skateboarding loves you and your contribution to our generation. It will live on forever bud. Thank you for making us laugh and smile more. Rest Easy my friend.”-Steve Caballero

“Only a few hours ago I was laughing out loud watching you goofily dance with your son… sharing such a personal moment made me feel a little better about …well everything. The depth of love was obvious and resonated with me as a human and a parent. My heart goes out to your son and family. I’ll miss your F. U. attitude that was often masked with levity. Hope you see Phelps and crew in the unknown.”-Tommy Guerrero

“So deeply saddened to hear about Jeff Grosso’s passing today. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.”-J Grant Brittain

“Sad day for skateboarding. We need more people like Grosso that lay down laws. Rest In Peace Jeff Grosso.”-Andrew Reynolds

“So sorry to get word of your passing. Jeff had pulled kind of a sideways move with me at my ramp one day, and I remember being pretty bummed out about it. Years later he apologized, and would continue to apologize about it for years to come. I was always intimidated by his self-confidence and his authority. He once barged into a hotel room a bunch of us were staying in and held court with us for hours, completely entertained, and didn’t miss a beat. The dude could talk! As if these times aren’t confusing and taxing enough, it’s a hard loss. Thanks for your years of dedication to skateboarding Jeff. We’ll all miss you.”-Max Schaaf

“Rest In Peace Jeff Grosso. True skater, funny as fuck, cheeky ass smile and thunder on a skateboard. Thoughts and prayers go out to family and close friends.”-Geoff Rowley

“Definitely one of a kind. You will be missed.”-Mike McGill

“Jeff didn’t sugar coat things, but the point was he cared. I will miss the sessions. RIP, my dear friend.”-Lizzie Armanto

“Jeff Grosso died yesterday. Means something. The struggle. Family. Legend. We talked. He was so nice. But we struggle. And when we do we sometimes only see the struggle. And when we are happy we sometimes think in that moment that we’ve always been happy. We forget that it changes. We escape, forgetting. And we are found when we dream. I saw you, man. Raw. You were nervous and so was I. I am. Each day holds a different lifetime. Means you had close to 20,000 lifetimes. All those experiences. All those people. Those thoughts, and feelings, and dreams. We flex, and we let go. We reach out. And sometimes we fall. Completely a life. Raw, you lived. We talked. You were so nice. Kind. Complete. Rest.”-Josh Brolin

“Jeff Grosso was one of the first pros I found out about when I started skating. I loved his style, his attitude, his graphics, everything about him was cool. He was always a legend to me and the older he got the cooler and more of a badass he became. His loss is so devastating, It’s sad to see your idols leave too soon. My heart goes out to his boy, his family and his close friends.”-Erik Ellington

“I don’t know what to say. What can I say? Words have been on spin cycle, tumbling over and over in my head for two days now. But when I first heard the news of Grosso’s passing it was like a pneumatic shot to the gut. And it wasn’t like I was even a friend or knew him that well—I can count the times I’d been around him on one hand—so I can only imagine how crushing this loss is to his close friends and family (and to them I extend my utmost condolences). But even though Jeff and I were no more than acquaintances, the occasions on which we did meet it felt like we’d known each other for years in the way that only skateboarding can bring people together, regardless of generational or geographical span. And the best part? All I can remember from each and every one of those times is laughing until tears were streaming down my face, listening to his rich, historical tales all told with unabashed humor, self-deprecating grace, and a sincere love for skateboarding, absurdities and all, reminding me just how fortunate and grateful I am to be a part of this ongoing circus sideshow.

Our community has lost yet another outspoken protector from the dwindling frontlines, but who knows… with a personality that fucking strong maybe he can still pull some opinionated strings from the Great Beyond. Keep ‘em rolling, Jeff, both literally and figuratively.”-Sean Cliver

Photo Credit: Miki Vukovich Photo Credit: O

Photo Credit: Grant Brittain

[Scans courtesy of The Chromeball Incident.]

More original gems from J. Grant Brittain below:

Photo Credit: J. Grant Brittain

Photo Credit: J. Grant Brittain

We love you Jeff.