Obituary of Jay Irwin Guber

Jay Irwin Guber October 23, 1951-October 10, 2021 With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Jay I. Guber,69, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He is predeceased by his parents Selma and Louis Guber of Boca Raton, FL. He is survived by his beloved wife, Bernadette, his son Jacob and grandson Elias of Freedom, ME, his two step-daughters, Tabatha Swierk, husband Joshua and granddaughters Rachel and Alanaof Valdez, AK and Micah Hapworth, husband Ty and grandchildren Harrison and Sylvia of Salem, MA, and his sister Diane Slovak of Boca Raton, FL. He was so fortunate to have grown up beside his cousin Mike Perril and his wife Marsha of Owings Mills, MD. Mike was always the “brother” he never had. He enjoyed the love and admiration of many dear nieces and nephews.  Jay’s joyful and contagious personality earned him numerous friends, too many to mention. He was a dedicated and nurturing father to his son and stepdaughters, whom he loved immensely. Jay was not shy in sharing his love and pride in his son Jacob. He was a dedicated bonus-Dad to Tabatha and Micah. He enjoyed sharing a scotch with stepson Ty and deep-sea fishing with stepson Josh.  He had the deepest love for his grandchildren, and all have a piece of his heart. Jay passed too soon to meet his new granddaughter but felt so much joy in the news and knew she would bring so much love to his son Jacob and his partner, Morgan Mackenzie, and son Noah. Jay most enjoyed spending time with family and friends, while either gathered for a meal, fishing or hunting, or playing poker with his buddies in Maine or Florida. He and Bernadette shared many adventures together, traveling abroad, hosting parties, laughing, and loving. In quieter times, he loved listening to music, especially blues and classic rock. He felt so lucky to have been able to attend Woodstock in 1969 and enjoyed sharing his memories of that event, being born in the Bronx, and stories of growing up in Spring Valley. His career in Maine began in 1972 as an apprentice with the Carpenters and Mill Rights Union. Promoted to a journeyman, he traveled throughout NewEngland, working the trades for numerous contractors and was Job Steward for projects 1 and 2 at SD Warren. He had been President of local 320. After a serious injury on the job, he applied his skills to becoming a Residential/Commercial Contractor, Building Inspector specializing in environmental testing, and Code Enforcement officer for the town of Freedom, ME. Jay fully enjoyed his profession until retiring to Florida to care for his elderly parents. Jay was the most loyal friend and had an uncanny ability to make lasting friendships wherever he went.   He valued honesty and forthrightness and held himself to these high ideals. Jay’s love for his family and friends was palpable, and he is so incredibly missed by all whose light he touched. A funeral will be held this Friday at 2:30 pm at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Freedom, ME.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Jay’s name can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Beacon Hospice of Bangor, or Pancreatic Cancer research.  Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com