Jeffrey Allan Gemeinhardt, 47, passed away unexpectedly on April 2. A resident of Newcastle for the past four years, he is originally from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and had lived in Palmer Lake, Col. for 11 years prior to moving to Maine.
Jeff had been in the Army and started his career as a land surveyor at that time, and then attended school and received a degree in civil engineering in Colorado, graduating at the top in his class. Jeff’s soul has always belonged in nature, hiking, fishing, hunting, and rowing his handmade kayak or canoe on area lakes and ocean waters. He had been quite a hunter for a while in his youth and young adult life. He had a great love for the outdoors, watching wildlife and often used these observations in his work. He was an excellent and talented wood carver of many species of wood ducks, fish and sea life, he also built many of the pieces of furniture in the family home. One of his most special accomplishments was a handmade canoe he built completely on his own that he enjoyed taking out on the lake with his four girls. He was also an avid gun collector, enjoyed going to Pow Wows and muzzle loader shoots, and hand crafted many traditional style bows and arrows, as well as designed and handcrafted several muzzle loading rifles.
He was predeceased by his sister, Janet Canfield; grandmother, Ellen Meyers of Jefferson; grandfather, Leonard Meyers; biological father, Americo Merlino; and adopted father, Donald Gemeinhardt.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Crystal Jacquelle Gemeinhardt; beautiful daughters, Andrea Nicole (15), Sarah Beth (11), Julia Renae (9) and Leah Jacquelle (4), and the family dog, Rosie, all of Newcastle; mother, Patricia E. Gemeinhardt, of Beach Lake, Penn.; sister, Jennifer LeRoux and her husband Marc LeRoux and their children, Erica, Edward, and Paul; aunt and uncle, James and Susan Barker, and cousins, Michael and Matthew of Jefferson; uncle, Leonard Meyers and his wife MaryAnn, and cousins Ned and Jack from Landrum, S.C.; mother-in-law, Lorena Smith; four brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A casual time of remembrance, and time to share and visit with the family, 4-6 p.m., Fri., April 8 at the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home. A short service will follow at 6 p.m., also at the funeral home. The Falabellas have offered their home for a gathering after the visitation at their house in Newcastle.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting contributions be made to a scholarship fund for the four Gemeinhardt girls at The First National Bank of Damariscotta, P.O. Box 940, Damariscotta, ME 04543.
Condolences, and messages for the family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
