LINNEUS, Maine — Maine Forest Ranger Jeremiah Crockett will be remembered for his compassion toward others, his willingness to help those in the community, and above all else, as a caring family man.
Crockett, 41, died peacefully at his home Tuesday, April 4, with his family by his side after a courageous five-year battle against follicular lymphoma and synovial sarcoma cancers.
“Jeremiah was, without exception, quiet, gentle, thoughtful and genuinely caring in his approach,” said Aroostook County Sheriff Darrell O. Crandall. “He made you feel good about bumping into him for a quick chat in the hallway or parking lot. He was a solid professional who knew all aspects of his job exceptionally well, but did not feel the need to rub your nose in his competence. He also had a ready smile, even under circumstances when most folks would find it hard to show one. This untimely loss is deeply felt in the law enforcement and fire service communities.”
Born Oct. 27, 1975, in the Moosehead Lake region, Crockett graduated from Greenville High School and studied forestry at the Maritime Forest Ranger School of the University of New Brunswick where he graduated with honors. He then worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Washington County’s Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge before joining the Maine Forest Service in 2000.
He experienced his first forest fire at the age of 12 while assisting his father, Russ (also a forest ranger), in the mop up of the Ragged Mountain fire. That incident sparked his love for the profession and determined his career path.
For 17 years, Crockett worked as a forest ranger with the Maine Forest Service, Division of Forest Protection where he earned the respect and admiration of his fellow rangers and wildland firefighters.
Crockett was an active wildland firefighter with extensive training in incident management. His leadership was instrumental in developing Maine’s East Branch T2IA fire crew, which was mobilized locally and nationally on many occasions.
He frequently deployed for wildland fires across the country (most recently in November 2016) and was well known by the national firefighting community. He was also a member of the Southern Area Type II Incident Management Team, assisting many western and northwestern states in combating wildland fires. His experience and qualifications developed him into one of the foremost wildland firefighters in Maine.
“Jeremiah was a very intelligent, but humble and kind person,” said Maine Chief Forest Ranger William Hamilton. “He was well respected in Maine and across the country. There is a long list of incidents that he was part of in every corner of the country. He will be greatly missed as one of the best wildland fire managers that has worked for the Maine Forest Service.”
Known for his love of the outdoors, Crockett spent much of his down time hiking, camping, kayaking, four-wheeling, yardscaping or throwing horseshoes with his family and friends. A member of the Houlton Lodge of Elks, Crockett was also a skilled carpenter, was active in the community and served on the RSU 29 school board for a couple of years, as well as the Linneus Planning and Appeals board.
He is survived by his wife, Gretel (McNutt) Crockett of Linneus; his sons, Elyjah of Hodgdon and Phoenix of Burlington, Vermont; his daughter, Ella of Linneus; his mother and stepfather, Sophia and Russell Beauchemin of Smyrna, along with his sisters, Heather Crockett of Monticello and Eva Beauchemin of Rockland; his parent-in-laws, Marcia Chapman and Dr. Henry Fisk and Ted and Lori McNutt; his grandmother-in-law, Barbara “Nana” Chapman; sister-in-laws and their spouses, Stacey and Lynn McNutt-Girouard and Angie and Jimmy Koutsikos; nieces and nephews, Dylan, Sophia, Pano, Lauren and Izzy as well as a multitude of aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, David Crockett.
A memorial service will be held 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 8, at the Houlton Wesleyan Church, 18 Kelleran St. with Pastor Wayne Robertson officiating. A celebration of life and fellowship will be immediately follow at the Houlton Lodge of Elks, 86 Main Street, Houlton.
Donations in Crockett’s name may be made to the Bridge to Hope, 23 Charles Street, Houlton ME 04730. For an online memory book and to leave condolences please visit www.bowersfuneral.com.
