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Jay Joseph Labbe II

Date of Death: April 16, 2025

Date of Birth: December 22, 1948

Biography:

JAY JOSEPH (JOE) LABBE II

     It was 4:44 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, 2025 when the angels came to get him at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, Maine. 

    Jay Joseph "Joe" Labbe II was born December 22, 1948 in Brunswick, Maine to Jay (Red) Labbe and Gwendolyn M. (Hanna) Carzoli.  Joe was brought up on Water Street by his grandmother Agnes (McKay) Labbe with his sisters Elizabeth "Betty" and Antoinette "Toni".

     Joe went to St. John's School, Mount Ararat Adult Education, and The Maine School for the Blind.  He worked many jobs in his lifetime.  From picking the dump for valuables as a child  with his beloved uncle Arthur to coaching adult GED students in Algebra.  At 17, he joined the Army and was honorably discharged due to his blindness in his right eye.  Joe enjoyed working in construction and worked on nearly every overpass on I-95 between Freeport and Augusta.  He built bridges and dams from Maine to Connecticut.  He worked on the Ewing Narrows bridge connecting the two Harpswells back in 1976.  He built the railroad overpass on Federal Street in Brunswick with just himself and two rookies.  He also built school playgrounds and did construction work at paper mills and Maine Yankee during shutdowns.  After working in construction for many years and wanting to stay closer to home, Joe took manufacturing jobs.  He worked at Worumbo, Health-Tex, Masonite, Aerotred, Riley Medical, and L.L.Bean.      

     Joe was incredibly strong but began to have physical challenges.  In 2013, he was diagnosed with his first brain tumor and later developed SMART syndrome.  He was in and out of hospital and physical rehab since.  He relearned to read and write and worked to regain his ability to walk multiple times.  He fought hard to stay alive and succeeded until the cancer spread and was no longer treatable. Joe was one tough guy. 

     Joe had loved fishing and was in the Pro Bass Club for many years.  He was also an Odd Fellow.  He was always ready to chase a nearby hot air balloon.  Joe enjoyed music, history, math, science, TV, movies, shows, the internet, politics, and keeping up with current events.  Mostly he enjoyed family time whether in person or on facetime.  He loved talking and laughing with friends and family and telling stories about the good old days.      

    He was predeceased by his grandmother, Agnes Labbe, his two sisters, Betty Labbe and Toni Williams, and his brother-in-laws Arthur Lindsay and Thomas Beard.

     He is survived by his wife, Gail Farr and their three children, Merry Labbe and her spouse William Robertson, Lakota Physic and her husband Elgin, and Jay Labbe III and his partner Jaime.  Eleven grandchildren: Emma Field, Sage Physic, Kyra Physic, Elgin Physic II, Grace Robertson, Myla Physic, Evelyn Robertson, Nolan Robertson, Jay Labbe IV, Raelynn Labbe, and Charli Shiro.  His first great grandchild is on the way.

     He is also survived by his half-sister Susan Christensen, and half-brothers Rock Carzoli and Wayne Labbe, his brother and sister-in-laws Kenneth Williams, Clifford and Pauline Farr, Dorothy Lindsay, Brenda Beard, and George and Nancy Farr, and dozens and dozens of cousins, nieces and nephews regular, grand, and great.

     Joe's smile, his jokes, and his love will be greatly missed.

     A celebration of life is planned at Purgatory Pond Saturday June 14, 2025.