SCARBOROUGH – Gilman “Jerry” Angier, Jr. passed away on June 19, 2024 at Piper Shores where he resided.
A resident of the area for over 50 years, Jerry was born on March 1, 1942 in Washington, DC, a son of Gilman and Sarah (Weston) Angier. He was educated in Providence, RI schools. Jerry summered with his family in the close-knit community of Hyannis Port, Mass. where he learned to sail and love the ocean. He earned a degree in Speech and Broadcasting in 1966 from Emerson College in Boston. After graduating, Jerry worked for WGBH in Boston helping to produce television shows for the public station most notably The French Chef, working with his second cousin, Julia Child. After a few years, he realized he would have to relocate to New York or Los Angeles to advance his career. Not wanting to leave New England, he switched careers and entered the life insurance business. As a branch manager for Phoenix Mutual, he lived in Cincinnati, Ohio before transferring to Portland, ME in 1971. When the company closed the office, he became an independent agent specializing in life, disability and long-term care insurance with an office in downtown Portland for over 42 years. Jerry obtained several industry certifications – Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC).
Jerry felt strongly about giving back to the community where he lived and worked; he became very active in civic organizations in Portland. For decades he was a member of Portland’s International Jetport Noise Advisory Committee, and a member of the committee to expand that facility which opened in 2011. He served on the Allocations Committee for United Way, was a member of Portland Rotary as well as serving on the President’s Council of the Portland Symphony Orchestra. He was a member of the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce, serving on both the Chamber and Regional Chamber boards. As a member of its Cruise Ship Committee, Jerry worked to bring cruise ships to Portland, traveling many times to that industry’s Sea Trade in Miami where he touted the benefits of Portland. In 2001 he was recognized as Volunteer of the Year for that work. For over 35 years he was a member of The Cumberland Club, serving as president from 2004-2006.
In 1978, he married the former Nancy O’Brien of Portland at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Cape Elizabeth. The couple lived in South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth before moving to Piper Shores in Scarborough. Jerry and Nancy loved to travel and made many trips throughout the US, Canada and Europe. They also loved the ocean and cruised the Maine coast in a series of boats, the last a 34’ trawler, NOA’S ARK, from Centerboard Yacht Club where he was a member. Acknowledging the importance of the Portland waterfront led him to become a member of the Portland Chapter International Propeller Club, and served on its board.
A lifelong rail enthusiast, he introduced Nancy when they took a train from Chicago to Los Angeles for their honeymoon. Throughout the years they traveled extensively throughout the US often by rail and in private cars. Jerry was a former member of the Cincinnati Railroad Club. At the time of his death, he was a member of the 470 Railroad Club of Portland where he served as a past President, the National Railroad Enthusiasts, the American Association of Private Rail Car Owners, and the Railroad and Locomotive Historical Society. He was a Life Member of the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum. He wrote two books on the history of Maine’s Bangor and Aroostook Railroad.
Upon retirement, Jerry volunteered as a Car Host on Amtrak’s Downeaster train and at the Ocean Gateway Visitor Information Center.
For over 50 years Jerry was an active member of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Cape Elizabeth where he was a lector, usher and served on many committees.
He was predeceased by his parents, beloved step-mother Nancy (Scarborough) Webber Angier and sisters Julia Weston Angier Ewing and Elizabeth (Webber) Ward. He is survived by his wife, Nancy of Scarborough, as well as sisters Nancy (Webber) Keeler (Paul) of Greenwich, Conn., Mary (Webber) Taylor of South Burlington, Vt., brother James B. Webber (Puiming) of South Barrington, RI and several cousins.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Holbrook at Piper Shores for the outstanding care and comfort they provided Jerry.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on August 7 at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 885 Shore Road, Cape Elizabeth, ME. Lunch reception to follow.
To view Jerry’s memorial page or to leave an online condolence for the family please visit http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions may be made to:
Portland Symphony Orchestra
85 Exchange Street
Portland, ME 04101 or:
The Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum
P.O. Box 242
Alna, ME 04535
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