Jay Alton Hall

GARDINER – The bright light of Jay Alton Hall, 77, was extinguished on Oct. 19, 2024, with his loving wife, Kathleen, and adored canine fur baby, Henry, at his side. His death was unexpected, following complications from a routine surgery.

He was born in Gardiner on Dec. 1, 1946, the youngest of four children, and raised in Farmingdale. After graduating from Hall-Dale High School in 1965, he joined the U.S. Navy in February 1966, proudly serving aboard the USS Perkins during the Vietnam conflict, and was honorably discharged in November 1969.

Jay and his first wife raised two daughters, Kendra and Melanie, in Jefferson. He was a self-employed taxidermist operating Jay’s Taxidermy Shop for many years, later adding R & J’s Bait Shop. After closing his businesses, he worked for the Maine State Museum as a taxidermist. He was forced into an early retirement due to State budget cuts, leading to the pursuit of his lifelong dream of traveling across the country. Jay was a jack-of-all-trades and worked many jobs throughout his travels, notably at the Lafayette KOA Kampground in Louisiana, followed by an opportunity to open and manage a new KOA in Wyoming.

Jay was an avid outdoorsman and loved duck hunting with his Labrador Retrievers. He began breeding and training yellow labs at his farm in Jefferson. He was extremely competitive and enjoyed sports, especially tennis, and traveled throughout Maine’s lakes competing in bass fishing tournaments. While living on Damariscotta Lake, he started the Dam Bassers fishing club.

Jay met his soulmate and love of his life, Kathleen Hanley, while working for a private contractor at the Togus VA facility. They were inseparable for 25 years, working together to renovate a dilapidated cottage on Sheepscot Lake, entertaining friends and having fun playing practical jokes whenever they could. Jay’s passion, energy and vivid imagination had no boundaries. He kept Kathy busy and often instructed her to make one-of-a-kind greeting cards for special people, specific to his unique ideas.

He was a proud member of the American Legion Post #4 and past member of the Gardiner Elks and Eagles Clubs, where he was known for his outgoing personality and commitment to service.

Jay was a regular golfer at Sheepscot Links Golf Course where he entertained a whole new audience with his shenanigans. He was also well known at CW Repair, Emery’s Meats and the Gardiner Federal Credit Union, joking with everyone he encountered.

Jay made friends throughout his life and enjoyed telling (and retelling) stories of his adventures. He was a gourmet cook and loved cooking for friends and family. He also enjoyed making and giving away his spicy homemade beef jerky to everyone visiting our home, especially the Riverside Disposal crew.

Jay was preceded in death by his father, Adelbert Hall, and mother, Thelma Irene Hall; brother, Robert Hall, sister, Patti Hall Kovach; and nephews, Scott and Shaun Hall.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen; his sister, Dorna Tracy; his daughters Kendra Whitten and Melanie (Greg) Bovero, stepson, James (Kelly) Overlock, stepdaughter, Lindsey (Joel) Twist; sisters-in-law Judith Ratcliff and Doreen (Marc) Plaisted, brothers-in-law John (Carol) Hanley, Dennis (Deborah) Hanley and David (Carolyn) Hanley; and many nieces and nephews. He was known as “Grampy” and “Bebe” to his grandchildren, Kirsten Whitten, Ashley Whitten, Brittaney Bovero, Taylor Leclair, Julia Twist and Luke Twist; and great-grandchildren, Aaliyah, Cohen, Emmaline and Rowan.

Jay will be sadly missed by his best friend and cousin, Glenn Bangs; special friends Sean Fitzgerald, Ricky Garland, Carl Ristaino, and Charlie Tozloski.

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the entire staff at the Togus Springs Hospice for the exceptional and respectful care provided to Jay and his family.

A celebration of Jay’s life will be held at our home in Gardiner next spring, a date and time will be announced. At Jay’s request, there will be no visiting hours or funeral service.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com