James Joseph Hegarty Jr.

JACKMAN – James J. Hegarty Jr. was born on March 7, 1939 in Boston, Mass. He was the son of James Hegarty and Margaret Livingstone, the oldest of four children. He was raised in Nashua, NH., attended Saint Patrick’s Catholic School and graduated from Nashua High School in 1956.

He entered the Navy spending three years working in meteorology at Moffett Field in California. He then entered Rivière College for a year, then worked at Hampshire Chemical Co. as a chemist. He also worked construction.

He married Marilyn Stanium on June 25,1966, and moved to Merrimack, NH where they built a house and had two sons. He became a Revolutionary member of the Merrimack Fish and Game Club, getting it up and running again.

In 1973, they moved to Jackman, Maine and bought Guay’s Camps, which were sporting camps on Big Wood Lake. He became a registered Maine guide and offered guided bear hunts for 13 years which were a big attraction. He was the first or one of the first bear guides to sit clients over bait. He later changed the name of the camps to Sally Mtn. Cabins.

In 1981, they bought Mountain View Filling Station and changed the name to The Jackman Trading Post. Jim and Marilyn enjoyed running the store for 38 years, adding on at least four times, creating a huge store that has become a landmark in Jackman. He had funny signs all over the place and a fake cop car on the property. Eskimos always got big discounts and free ice!

In 1991, they began spending winters in Winter Haven, Fla., enjoying working the flea markets selling merchandise until 2006 when they decided to spend winters in Jackman again.

Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting, trapping, visiting with family, reading and keeping up on news and weather events. He was right into sports, especially his beloved Boston Red Sox.

He had a great sense of humor. At the Northland Hotel, he was the fastest ever seen in and out of a restroom! Nobody could believe it! He would come out and say, “That was a #2!”

Marilyn passed on June 15, 2019, after a remarkable 52 years of marriage. His brother, Jack is predeceased. He is survived by his son Kerry and his wife Amy of Jackman, son Corey and his wife Stephany of Jackman; sister Ellen Lebel, (Hudson, NH), brother Gerry, (Laurel, Md.); granddaughter Holly Bragan and her husband Josh (Newburgh), granddaughter Hannah (Etna); great granddaughter Lorelai and great grandson Louie. Also, there are many nieces and nephews.

He passed on March 30, 2025 at Maine Veterans’ Homes in Bangor, Maine.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Northland Hotel in Jackman on Saturday, April 12 at 2 p.m.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Giberson Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To leave a condolence for the family and to view the online obituary, please visit http://www.gibersonfuneralhome.com