Jeff Gilpatric
SCARBOROUGH – Somewhere out there, a curvy road with smooth pavement, sunshine, and the smell of the deep earth is putting a smile on Jeff Gilpatric’s face. One of those mischievous smiles that is instantly mirrored by anyone around him. To meet Jeff and earn his distinct nod of approval was to be welcomed into his realm as a friend for life. You had to accept his dry sense of humor, fierce desire to protect those he loved, and his uncanny ability to tell it like it is whether you wanted to hear it or not. You never had to consider it though, because to know this Old Fart was to befriend him. And to befriend him meant he was going to have your back – through thick and thin, whether you had seen him last week or a decade ago.
Even though Jeff spent his last several years set back considerably by Parkinson’s, underneath the disease’s terrible grip, his spirit remained. You may not have heard it quite as loud, but he spoke it with his eyes. He battled it with that legendary humor we all know and a staunch determination to rebel as much as he could get away with, much to the dismay of those who loved and cared for him. Would he have had it any other way?
You may remember Jeff for his love for adventure, fishing, flirting with pretty women, gardening, his minimalist attire when he was home alone, or maybe even from a time when he impatiently mended from some incident involving road rash. But the common thread? His passion for anything with two wheels. Some may count their successes in life by way of dollar signs, but his successes were in adventures on two wheels. Usually a BMW or Ducati, but when it came down to it, the Old Fart appreciated anything that could be classified as a motorcycle – or even a moped. That mischievous smile – sparked by two wheels and fueled by curvy roads – that’s what brought him joy.
Jeff was born on March 25, 1947 in Biddeford, Maine. He grew up in Saco, attending Thornton Academy followed by Andover College and then joining the Coast Guard after high school. He traveled a bit during his duty but called Maine home for the majority of his life. He had many passions and was well known for being a plankowner and longtime member of BMW Riders of Southern Maine, spending many hours in the Kelp Shed feeding his famous chowder and chili to countless riders. Whether he was working bicycle races, conducting trains, traveling to Europe, doing some sort of handyman work or just hanging out enjoying a beer, the Old Fart made friends everywhere.
Living one day short of his 79th birthday, we all have our theories about why March 24, 2026 was the day he left this earth for his next big adventure. One year younger might just be an advantage with the pretty ladies? Maybe 78 sounds better in a joke? There’s some reason, for sure. Maybe he’ll clue you in when you see him next, or maybe he will just give you that look and you’ll know not to ask again.
Jeff was predeceased by his parents, Charlie and Ruhanna. He leaves behind his devoted wife, Linda Gilpatric; his son, Adam (Wendy) Gilpatric; his brother, Bill (Sally) Gilpatric; and his nephew and niece, Jason Gilpatric and Susan Smart. We cannot continue without mentioning his best fishing buddy, Bruce Goodhue, and all the floppy-eared dogs he loved, especially Bill.
If his memory will live on in your heart and carry that mischievous smile down one more mile of curvy roads, you are considered amongst the list of survivors. The list is long and full of those who will honor his spirit with one more ride, one more big catch, one more bowl of chowder, or one more dirty joke. Keep his spirit alive with your wit and never let go of the adventure that calls. He’ll be sure to give you that nod of approval if you do.
Jeff will be honored with an 11 a.m. graveside service at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco on April 2, 2026, followed with a reception.
He would be happiest if you planted some flowers this spring rather than sending any, but in lieu of flowers,
donations can be sent
in his name to the:
Maine Veterans Home
460 Civic Center Dr.
Augusta, ME 04330
