Jay Brewer

MONTICELLO, Jay Brewer, 95, well known and respected educator from Monticello, Maine, passed away on Sunday, January 26, 2025, at Madigan Estates Nursing Home with his beloved family by his side. He was 95 years old and in his own words "had a remarkable life". Jay was raised in a large farming family, being one of eight children born to Ashley and Gertrude (Miller) Brewer. He was predeceased by his siblings: brothers Alvin & Carlton Brewer and sisters Velma Pembroke, Annie Ross, Iona Nadeau, Betty Williams and Shirley Hanning. Jay was also predeceased by a special nephew, Dick Ross, who was raised by Jay's parents and was more like a brother than a nephew.
Jay was educated his first eight years at Monticello Grammar School, followed by two years of high school at Bridgewater Classical Academy. His junior and senior year were spent at Higgins Classical institute in Charleston, ME. He graduated from Ricker Jr. College in 1949 and Ricker College in 1951 with a BA in Business. He received his Master's Degree in Elementary Education in 1969 from the University of Maine at Orono.
It was while attending Ricker College that Jay met his darling wife of 60 years, Patricia (Brown) Brewer. Together, Jay and 'Pat' raised their three children: Peter (Jo) Brewer of Houlton, Jan (Mike) Martin of Monticello and Susan (Mike) Tweedie of Blaine. Jay often talked of how Pat was his biggest supporter and encouraged all of his many involvements with educating children; playing, coaching and attending sporting events; community service and whatever else he chose to do.
Jay began his teaching career at Monticello Grammar School in 1951, a full-time 7th grade position where he taught all subjects as well as coaching baseball and basketball to 7th & 8th grade students. After three years at Monticello, he began teaching math at Houlton Jr. High School while continuing to coach sports. Teaching math was a course he dearly loved, and coaching was something he was well-qualified for and learned while playing football, basketball, and baseball throughout high school and college. His basketball and baseball teams were very well-trained in the fundamentals of both sports, and they showed their outstanding skills in their many victories against the best junior high teams in Aroostook County. Jay finished his career in education at the 'new' Houlton Elementary School where he was Supervising Principal. In 1978 Jay was the recipient of the Maine State Elementary Principal of the Year award.
Jay had many activities that he enjoyed to the fullest fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, playing cards, camping, swimming, but most of all after his family and fun activities, it was baseball that he really loved to play. It would be difficult to find a more loyal Red Sox baseball fan than Jay. Besides his high school and college of athletics, he played semi-pro baseball starting at the age of 17 until the age of 40. He played for some great teams during that period: Monticello Town Team, Houlton Collegians, and the Woodstock, NB, Lions Senior Baseball League. He was inducted into both the New Brunswick Wall of Fame and the New Brunswick Hall of Fame for baseball. He was chosen to attend two tryouts for the Boston Braves (now the Atlanta Braves) Farm Team in 1951, but decided not to pursue it because of wanting to be married and starting a life with his beautiful new bride, Pat.
As a man on great integrity, Jay was known for his love of family, hugs, hard work ethic, honesty, kindness, and fairness. His children say that he never went anywhere where someone did not know him. He was the person that others would turn to in their times of need and always found a way to help any way he could.
Jay always attended church faithfully. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Houlton and St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mars Hill. He was also a member of many educational organizations: Houlton Teachers Association, Aroostook County Teachers Association, Maine State Teachers Association, National Teachers Association, Maine State Elementary Principals Association, Maine State Retired Teachers Association and many years in the Grange, serving several years as Grand Master.
Jay was predeceased by his beloved wife Pat, his parents, all seven of his siblings, his in-laws William and Leda Brown, all of his brothers & sisters in-law, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Jay leaves behind his children, their spouses, 11 grandchildren; Chris (Lynnette) Brewer, Jason (Rachel) Brewer, Patrick (Robbin) Brewer, Chris Martin, Maggie Martin, Danny (Tracey) Martin, Josh (Sammi) Tweedie, Tim (Erica) Tweedie, Betsy (Craig) Allen, Michelle (Taylor) McLaughlin and Jeremy (Lizzy) Tweedie, 38 great-grandchildren and 8 great great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
The family would sincerely like to thank Madigan Estates Health Facility and the wonderful staff for the excellent and loving care Jay/Dad/Grampy received while residing there.
Because the education of children was such a huge and important part of Jay's life, the family plans to establish a scholarship fund in Jay's memory. In lieu of flowers or if you wish to donate, please make your donation to the Jay A. Brewer Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Houlton High School Alumni Association, 7 Bird St., Houlton, ME 04730. If Jay could ask one thing of anyone it would be to spend time helping a child, have a hotdog roast (one of his favorite pastimes) with your family or toss a baseball towards the heavens for him to try and catch. In keeping with Dad/Grampy's spirit, the family encourages you to feel free to wear your favorite sports team's apparel to the service, especially if it's his favorite, the Boston Red Sox.
Friends may call on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 9:00 – 11:00 AM, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Military St., Houlton, with a mass of Christian Burial being held at 11:00 with Father Kevin Martin officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in the spring of 2025. To share condolences and memories online visit www.bowersfuneral.com