Iconic Maine cartoonist Jeffrey B. (Jeff) Pert, 55, of Brunswick died

unexpectedly April 4, 2014 in Portland.

 

Jeff was born on November 27, 1958 in Bath, Maine, the son of Perleston L.

(Bub) and Jacqueline E. Pert.

 

He grew up in Winslow, Maine, where he formed many lifelong friendships, and

graduated from Winslow High School in 1977. He cherished memories of

lobstering with his grandfather in Phippsburg, and his garage band days in

high school where he was front man for the band Jade.

 

He studied English at the University of Maine at Augusta before attending

Emerson College in Boston, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts

in Mass Communication. Even though he attended college out of state and

spent a few years working in California, he referred to himself as ³a Maine

(born and breaded, like a clam) cartoonist.²

 

Jeff's cartooning career began in the mid-1980's with editorial cartoons for

the Brunswick Times Record and other newspapers around the state. This led

to nine Maine Press Association awards and to co-authoring the books On the

Road with George & Barbara in Vacationland! and George & Barbara's Christmas

Crisis with fellow cartoonist Thomas Wilson.

 

Jeff 's cartoons appeared in magazines including DownEast and Yankee.

Through a creative partnership with his brother Jon, many of these cartoons

are featured on T-shirts, mugs, bumper stickers, and other merchandise sold

in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. A selection of his cartoons appeared

in his 2012 book, Cartoons from Maine: How's the Water, Bob? from DownEast

books, as well as several small press and independently produced chapbooks

and collections. A largely self-taught artist himself, he conducted

cartooning workshops and presentations for local audiences, from school

classrooms to the Merrill Auditorium.

 

He was an avid reader and writer of horror and dark fantasy. He was a

long-time member of a local writers group and was selected to attend the

Odyssey Writing Workshop in New Hampshire in 2006, which became a pivotal

experience for him.

 

His day jobs included internal communications and training at L.L. Bean, a

stint as an archival assistant at DreamWorks Animation in Los Angeles, and

copy coordinator at WGME-TV in Portland. His daily life included doting on

his dog, Woody, and cat, Zelda. A favorite spot for his rare leisure time

was the family cottage in Phippsburg. Jeff surrounded himself with what he

loved--pop culture, books, friends, family, animals, and--above all--a sense

of humor.

 

He was known for his irreverent, off-beat downeast humor, and his devotion

to his friends and family. In conversation, he would downplay his strength

and perseverance in pursuing his dreams, but he was unstinting in

encouraging those around him to follow theirs.

 

Following a battle with cancer in 2011, he wrote to those close to him,

saying ³After this year, I'm just grateful to be alive. I now know how to

enjoy life more, and also know that, no matter what may befall me, I don't

need to worry--people like you have got my back.²

 

He is predeceased by his father, Perleston L. (Bub) Pert. He is survived by

his mother, Jacqueline E. Pert of Topsham; his sister, Judith K. Pert of

Roslindale, MA; his brother and sister-in-law, Jonathan D. and Deb Pert of

Falmouth and his sister and brother-in-law Jennifer P. and Morris Russo of

New Gloucester.

He is also survived by Bob the lobster and a cast of cartoon characters

including various moose, squirrels, and curmudgeons.

 

Visiting hours will be held from 4:00 pm ­ 7:00 pm on Wednesday, April 9,

2014 at David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home at 638 High Street in Bath,

Maine.

 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Fetching Hope Canine Rescue at

www.fetchinghope.com.

 

To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com