Obituary: Jeffrey W. Somers
Jeffrey W. Somers, 69, Remembered as a Dedicated Serviceman, Family Man and “Mr. Encyclopedia”
Gray, Maine – The Gray community lost a beloved resident on Monday, October 26, 2026, when Jeffrey W. Somers, 69, passed away suddenly at his home. A longtime neighbor and former Maine Air National Guard officer, Somers is survived by his daughters, siblings and a family of cats he adored.
Born in Portland on May 20, 1957, Somers grew up on Preble Street in South Portland. He graduated from South Portland High School in 1975 and went on to earn two associate degrees before beginning a career that would blend technical skill, military service and a passion for learning. The 2005 move to Gray marked the start of a new chapter for the former service member and family man.
Somers spent the first two decades of his professional life with Business Equipment Unlimited (BEU) in Portland, where he served as the lead service technician. During that time he also answered a call to duty in the inactive reserves of the Maine Air National Guard, working one weekend a month with the 243rd Engineering Installation Squadron. When a full‑time opportunity opened in the Maine ANG, he joined the guard as an engineering technician and airfield systems craftsman. Over a 14‑year career he was deployed to Germany, Curacao, Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, and Iraq during Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn in 2011.
“Jeffrey was the kind of person who would turn every question into a learning opportunity,” said a close friend. “His daughters called him “Mr. Encyclopedia” because he would always find the answer, no matter how small the inquiry.” Those same qualities made him a pillar of support in his community and at home. His sense of duty extended beyond the uniform – he was known for helping neighbors, offering financial or emotional support, and ensuring everyone around him felt safe.
A lover of animals, Somers kept three cats—Tommy, Sebastian and Ariel—throughout his life. He was especially protective of them, telling a family anecdote that when a daughter gifted him a kitten in 2008, he slept on the couch that night to keep the new pet from feeling lonely or afraid.
After retirement he found joy in home improvement projects and in spending time with his daughters. In 2025, he and daughter Kimberly attended the Brunswick air show to see the Thunderbirds, and the sight of him recounting stories about the planes made everyone feel like they were back in flight. He could still explain the mechanics of aircraft in a way that was both accurate and engaging, a reminder of why he had joined the Air National Guard in the first place.
Jeffrey was preceded in death by his parents, William J. Somers and Katherine A. Somers (Arey), and by his cherished cats. His brother, Scott, and their families, as well as his daughters Kimberly and Tracy, will remember him as a devoted family member and steadfast friend.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 9, at 10:30 a.m. at Hobbs Funeral Home in Gray. There will be no visitation; the service will be followed by a procession to Highland Memorial Cemetery for a brief graveside ceremony. After the burial, a reception will be held at Hobbs Funeral Home.
The family requests that flowers be replaced with donations to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland, the organization where Jeffrey first adopted his beloved companion Sebastian. Friends and neighbors are invited to celebrate his life, his service, and the countless ways he touched the lives of those around him.
