Jesse Gilbert Magee Jr.

Jesse (Gil) G. Magee, Jr. died peacefully in his sleep on November 3, 7 days short of his 90th birthday. A survivor of a major heart attack in his late 50’s, Gil joined USM Heartline. He credited the 20+ years he spent swimming and walking for his longevity.

Gil was born on Long Island, New York to Jesse G. and Marie Therese Magee. He attended Queens, NY schools and graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT where he was a member of the soccer and boxing teams. It was here he met the love of his life, Priscilla, a student at nearby Connecticut College.

Gil and Priscilla were married in June of 1945, beginning a 66 year odyssey that saw them raise three children, help run a successful family business and travel the world. Upon graduation from the Academy, he served on a cutter in the North Atlantic escorting the Liberty ships bringing the troops home from Europe. Upon his resignation from the Coast Guard, he joined the Robert Gair Co. in CT, beginning his career in the paperboard industry. In 1954 he moved to his wife’s home state of Maine and joined his father-in-law in the family business, Ellis Paperboard Products. He enjoyed a long career with Ellis, serving as a Director, CFO, and Vice President.

Gil and Priscilla settled in Cape Elizabeth where they raised their family. He was involved in his children’s activities, coaching their sports teams and supporting them in their many endeavors. For many years he was involved with the First Parish Church in Portland, serving as the Treasurer and on the Board of Governors.

For much of his life Gil was actively involved in sports and other competitive activities, both as a participant and as a spectator. Throwing off the influence of his New York upbringing, he became an ardent supporter of the Red Sox and Patriots. He was an accomplished candle pin bowler during his years in Maine and was a member of a Senior State championship team. An avid fisherman, he caught sailfish and bonefish off the Florida Keys and chased wild trout in the quiet streams of Maine. His love of competition continued into retirement. He was an original participant in the Maine Senior games and won medals in several events over the years. Often he could be found at a poker table or over a cribbage board, a passion he continued through his final days.

Gil and Priscilla traveled extensively both in the U.S. and abroad, visiting places such as the Grand Canyon, the Great Wall of China and the Norwegian fjords. Often the travels were tied to Coast Guard Academy alumni events as he continued a lifelong interest in the sea, the service and his classmates.

Beside Priscilla, his loving wife of 66 years, Gil is survived by two sons, David E. Magee and wife Sally of Cumberland ME, and Jesse (Jay) G. Magee, III and wife Nancy of Scarborough, ME; daughter, Catherine (Magee) Sheldon and husband Thomas of Niantic, CT; grandchildren, David Magee, Jr. of Biddeford, ME, Michelle Magee and fiancé Joel Bilodeau of Charlotte, NC, Christa-Marie Magee of Falmouth, ME, Jillian Magee of Scarborough, ME, Richard Sheldon of Putnam, CT, and Carolyn Roderick and husband Ed of Waterford, CT; step grandchildren Trevor Bean of Raymond, ME, Devin Bean of Boston,MA, and five great grandchildren.

The Family would like to thank the staffs of VNA of Portland and of Kennebunk Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their care and support.

A memorial service will be held for Gil at 1 pm on Tuesday November 8th in the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church on Congress Street in Portland, ME. Burial services will be private.

Arrangements are under the care of Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodford St., Portland.

Arrangements under the direction of Jones-Rich-Hutchins Funeral Home, Portland, ME.