Popular Maine cartoonist Jeff Pert dies at 55

Above: Jeff Pert's seminal "How's the water, Bob?" cartoon. It was also the title of his collection of cartoons.


The Bangor Daily News has a fine profile of my friend Jeff Pert in today's paper. It was written by Kathleen Pierce.



I spoke with her yesterday, as did Jeff's brother, Jonathan Pert, and Rick Lowell of Portland, Maine's Casablanca Comics.




Jonathan Pert:



"Jeff was dining out with a friend at Local Sprouts Cafe in Portland when he started to experience chest pains. 'He said, ‘Maybe we should go to the hospital,’ and he was joking in the car,' said Jonathan. 'He was being the humorous, sarcastic Jeff to the very end.'"




Rick Lowell:



"Lowell carried Pert’s book, 'Cartoons From Maine: How’s the Water, Bob?' published by Down East Books, and said it was a top seller last year. At Pert’s book signing, the line was out the door. 'He was overwhelmed by how many people showed up,' Lowell recalled."




Mike Lynch:



“It’s his appeal and sense of humor and cartoon style that will draw people forever to his work."



Visiting hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, at David E. Desmond and Son Funeral Home, 638 High St., Bath.