GRAY - Jeffrey W. Somers passed away suddenly on Monday, October 26, 2026 at the age of 69, at his home in Gray, ME.

He was born on May 20, 1957, in Portland, Maine, and lived a large portion of his life in South Portland before moving to Gray in 2005. Jeff was the younger son of William J. Somers and Katherine A. Somers (Arey). He grew up on Preble Street in South Portland and graduated from South Portland High School in 1975. He went on to earn 2 associate's degrees, spend 4 years in the Air Force and had most recently retired from a long and rewarding career in the Maine Air National Guard (ANG) at the rank of Master Sergeant.

Between his four years of active duty and career with the Air National Guard, he spent his first 20 work years at Business Equipment Unlimited in Portland as their lead service technician while also in the inactive reserves for the Air National Guard where he served one weekend a month in the 243rd Engineering Installation Squadron.

After his time at BEU, he secured a full-time position with the Maine Air National Guard where he worked for another 14 years as an engineering technician and airfield systems craftsman. Jeff was deployed to places like Germany and Curacao and was also sent on two separate tours into active war zones - first to Afghanistan in 2001 (Operation Enduring Freedom) and then into Iraq in 2011 (Operations Iraqi Freedom & New Dawn).

When not at work, Jeff always had a book in his hand and a spare book stashed everywhere. He was affectionately known as "Mr. Encyclopedia" when his daughters were young because he would insist on turning every question they had into a learning opportunity.

He would act tough about it, but he was a big softie when he was around cats. When his daughter gifted him a kitten that he "didn't want" one day in 2008, Jeff slept on the couch that night specifically because he didn't think the little kitten could get up the stairs and he didn't want her to be scared or alone on her first night in the house. What was most appreciated about Jeff is that he made us all feel safe. Whether it was by providing a home to live in, providing financial or emotional support, or physically shielding us from danger, he was there to fix whatever it was that troubled us. If Jeff was around, it was going to be okay.

After retirement, he enjoyed working on his house and relaxing at home. In 2025, he went with his daughter to the Brunswick air show to see the Thunderbirds and it was like watching him turn into a kid again. He knew everything about every plane and every gadget and told stories about how he had flown on one of the planes that was being toured. It was a great day.

He is preceded in death by his parents William and Katherine, and his beloved cats Tommy, Sebastian and Ariel. He is survived by his daughters Kimberly and Tracy, brother Scott, and their spouses and children.

A memorial service will be held on November 9, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Hobbs Funeral Home (no visitation) followed by a procession to Highland Memorial Cemetery for a short graveside service. A reception will be held after at Hobbs Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jeff's memory to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, the place where he got Sebastian, his best little buddy.