Sunday, April 06, 2014

UPDATE: Jeff Pert 1958-2014



Jeff Pert died Friday, April 4, 2014. The cause was a heart attack. He was 55 years old.

Jeff has been cartooning about Maine since 1992. His cartoons, usually featuring moose and lobsters appear in Down East Magazine, as well as postcards, t-shirts and other products. His best-selling book of cartoons HOW'S THE WATER, BOB? was so successful that he had confided that there may be another book on the way.

Details are being passed from Jeff's family, and from friend to friend -- of which Jeff had many. There has been no formal announcement. I am unsure of all of the details, but this is what I have heard.

He was eating dinner at a Maine restaurant with his brother and his brother's wife friends on Friday evening. After the meal, Jeff had heartburn, which got alarmingly worse. He went to the hospital. His brother was contacted and he went to the hospital as well. He had a massive, unexpected heart attack from which he did not recover.

We are all stunned and it feels so strange to be typing this information.

More details as I get them. No word on services at this time.

Heartfelt consolation to Jon Pert and the rest of the family. Jeff was one of a kind.

UPDATE: Desmond Funeral Home in Bath, ME will have a visitation on Wednesday, April 9 from 4pm to 7pm. The next day, Jeff's brother Jon will host a celebration of Jeff's life. More information on all of those events, and an online condolence book you can sign, is here.

13 comments:

John R. Platt said...

He really was one of a kind. I can't believe he's gone.

M. Scott Ricketts said...

He was a good man. Really gonna miss him. Thanks for posting this, Mike.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

So, so sad. Tim Sample posted something earlier today on Facebook and I didn't want to believe it. Jeff was a genius!

jamie said...

When this Alaskan cartoonist went on hiatus to Maine, it was with some trepidation that I met him as he was THE established, local “lobster cartoonist,” and his distinctive and unique style + regional sense of humor was everywhere, in stores, on cards and it seemed everybody’s tshirts. But like every cartoonist I’ve had the good fortune to meet, Jeff was so open and welcoming with sharing his time and about his experience, and he was supportive and encouraging. I never forgot that, and it’s one of the reasons I never say no to anyone who asks about the profession.
Jeff’s iconic work is a personal inspiration in how he was an effective one-man marketing agent, what with merchandise and a presence in print + on-line, and we had corresponded at length last year about his making the jump into classrooms and exploring artist-in-residency opportunities. Seeing his book take off was a kick in the pants, and this is a tremendous loss of talent to the creative community.
Peace to you Mike, and to all his New England peers, and condolences to Jeff’s family and close friends.
He was funny as hell and will be missed.

annawritedraw said...

Mike, Anna Boll here. I'm stunned and saddened. If the family needs someone to look after Woody, I'd certainly help out. I know that Jeff wouldn't want him in a shelter. please email me directly with family contact info... annajboll@gmail.com

Mark Anderson said...

This is so hard to believe and understand. I only met Jeff once but we chatted online occasionally.

I did a lobster cartoon once and he and I talked about how bad I'd drawn it. It makes me smile thinking about it.

What a great cartoonist. I'm really going to miss him.

Frink! said...

I'm still stunned about Jeff's passing. I'm a long time friend of Jeff's from Emerson College. Jeff stayed with my family here in California when he lived here for awhile. All of Jeff's family and friends have lost a fantastic buddy. And his home state of Maine has lost one of its finest sons. I still can't believe this really happened.

Frink! said...

I'm still stunned about Jeff's passing. I'm a long time friend of Jeff's from Emerson College. Jeff stayed with my family here in California when he lived here for awhile. All of Jeff's family and friends have lost a fantastic buddy. And his home state of Maine has lost one of its finest sons. I still can't believe this really happened.

Unknown said...

http://www.desmondfuneralhomes.com/obits/obituary.php?id=559833

Anonymous said...

I've known Jeff for seven years, and he was one of my very favorite friends, constantly making me laugh and think. The hole left by his death will be felt by all his friends and colleagues for a very, very long time. I can't believe it.

Karla said...

Jeff was my cousin. Not only did I love him as family, but I loved his work and his sense of humor. Every time I saw him, he had a smile on his face - he brought humor and light to everyone in the room. My family is not the same without him.

cafiend said...

I only met him once and I have a sense of loss. I'm all %#%$^@^! when I think about it.