Jeffrey L. Smith

He was born in Waterville, ME on March 30, 1961, a son of the late Albert L. Smith and Lorraine (Higgins) Smith of Troy, ME. Jeff grew up in Waterville, and graduated from Governor Baxter School for the Deaf in Falmouth. From there he went on to obtain a degree in photography and graphic arts from NTID at Rochester Institute of Technology. 

After college, Jeff moved back to Maine and started working in the photo lab industry in Waterville and Bangor. After meeting Elissa he moved to South Portland and began working for 60 Minute Photo, where he became very well known for his talents within the industry. Jeff and Elissa married in 1997. After a brief stint at LL Bean, he was recruited for Goodwill’s retail division in 2006. He was the safety team lead for the Maine Mall location of which he was very proud. 

He also was a student of Huard’s Dojo in Winslow, where he obtained the title of 3rd degree black belt in Shotokan & Jujitsu. After moving south he also went on to join Aaron Parker’s Saco River Martial Arts in Bar Mills and achieved his 1st degree black belt in Taijutsu. 

Among his many talents he was also a member of Portland Fencing, where he excelled. He also enjoyed the outdoors, biking and meditation. Jeff was an avid photographer, widely known for his ability to capture the beauty of the natural world with his camera. His favorite subject however, was his granddaughters. He was one of their primary care givers and was utterly devoted to them. 

Besides his wife and mother he is survived by his son Michael Ellis and his wife Jennifer of Poland Spring and his two granddaughters Jasmine and Madeline. He also leaves his five siblings, Albert (Sandy) Smith and his wife Colleen of Bangor, ME; Kathleen Denis and her husband Dave of Bucksport, ME, Victoria Davis of Wenham, MA, Elizabeth Youts and her husband Kevin of Beverly, MA and Eleanor Ferris and her husband Frederick of Durham NH. Jeff leaves behind a nephew, Joshua Davis, and nieces, Meghan Smith MacDonald, Alia Davis Jackson, Adreanna Denis, Marissa Denis, Caitrin Ferris, Keira Ferris, and Ashling Ferris. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at the Baxter School for the Deaf, Falmouth in the Draper Gym at 1 p.m. with Meryl Troop officiating. 

Arrangements are under the care of Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services, 981 Forest Ave, Portland, ME, please visit www.advantageportland.com to sign Jeff’s guestbook.