Jay Gould Hamilton III

BRUNSWICK – Jay Gould Hamilton III of Brunswick passed away Feb. 28, 2026, in Bath. He was born in Portland on Feb. 18, 1939, to Nellie (Perry) Hamilton and Jay G. Hamilton Jr., and was the oldest of eight children.

Jay attended Brunswick schools and graduated in 1957 from Brunswick High School where he very much enjoyed playing football and developing lifelong friendships with his classmates. He went on to graduate in 1962 from Machias State Teachers College, where he played on the baseball team. His education continued at the University of Southern Maine where he received a master’s degree in education. He began teaching in Oakland and also coached football, later teaching and coaching in Rockland. After leaving Rockland, he became a teacher and principal at Phippsburg for many years, where he was especially proud of the girl’s basketball teams that he coached. He played semi-pro football for the Portland Sea Hawks and the New Hampshire Tri-City Chargers in the mid 60’s.

From an early age, Jay began working quahogging, clamming, and sea mossing and worked as a diver for Marine Colloids of Rockland to pay for his education. He enjoyed nearly every minute spent on the water (except for time clinging to an overturned skiff while waiting several hours to be rescued) and was thrilled to settle in Cundys Harbor in a waterfront home. While living in Cundys Harbor, he and friend Kenny Morgan caught a 600 lb. Tuna. He referred to it as the big one that didn’t get away.

Jay loved antique cars and trucks from the time he bought his first Model A at 16. After leaving teaching he opened a small used car lot in Bath, then began buying and restoring antique autos. He owned several rare and notable cars, including a 1933 Chevy Phaeton of which only 5 are known to still exist of 543 manufactured, and a Model A roadster featured in the opening scenes of the 1967 “Bonnie and Clyde” motion picture.

He was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Ronald, Wayne, and Paul. Also predeceased by stepchildren, Scot Hanning and Jody Hallman. He is survived by his daughter Shelly Hamilton and son Jay G. Hamilton IV, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters, Carol Durgin and Martha Hamilton, and brothers, Edward Hamilton and Randall Hamilton.

Since suffering a stroke in 2001, Jay has resided at several local longterm care facilities. The family would like to thank all his caregivers and the many friends who visited him and brightened his days.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 11 a.m., at the David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Hall, 638 High Street, Bath.

To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit http://www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the humane society or visit a friend or relative in longterm care.