Brunswick Resident Jay Gould Hamilton III Dies on February 28, 2026

Jay Gould Hamilton III of Brunswick died on February 28, 2026, in Bath, Maine. Hamilton was a longtime teacher and principal in Phippsburg and a mid-1960s semi-pro football player with the Portland Sea Hawks and the New Hampshire Tri-City Chargers.

Hamilton was born February 18, 1939, in Portland to Nellie (Perry) Hamilton and Jay G. Hamilton Jr. He was the oldest of eight children and was predeceased by brothers Ronald Hamilton, Wayne Hamilton and Paul Hamilton.

He attended Brunswick schools and graduated from Brunswick High School in 1957; he “very much enjoyed playing football and developing lifelong friendships with his classmates.” Hamilton went on to graduate from Machias State Teachers College in 1962, where he “played on the baseball team,” and he later received a master’s degree in education from the University of Southern Maine.

Hamilton began his teaching career in Oakland, Maine, where he also coached football. He later taught and coached in Rockland and, after leaving Rockland, became a teacher and principal at Phippsburg for many years. The obituary notes he “was especially proud of the girl’s basketball teams that he coached.” Outside the schools, Hamilton’s athletic years included playing semi-pro football in the mid 60’s for the Portland Sea Hawks and the New Hampshire Tri-City Chargers.

Health challenges followed later in life. “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.” The obituary expresses the family’s gratitude to those who provided care and companionship during his time in local facilities.

Survivors include his daughter Shelly Hamilton and his son Jay G. Hamilton IV, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren whose names were not listed, sisters Carol Durgin and Martha Hamilton, and brothers Edward Hamilton and Randall Hamilton. He was predeceased in part by stepchildren Scot Hanning and Jody Hallman.

A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. at David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Hall, 638 High Street, Bath. The memorial page for Hamilton is memorialized in partnership with David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home - Bath; that page states, “An obituary is not available at this time for Jay Gould Hamilton III. We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our Tribute Wall,” and lists options to send flowers or plant a tree in his memory.

The published obituary does not provide a cause of death nor the names and ages of Hamilton’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family’s Celebration of Life on March 11 will be the opportunity named in the obituary for friends, former students and colleagues to gather in Bath to remember his years in Sagadahoc County schools and local athletics.