Jeffrey Gough, 53, unexpectedly passed away on September 16th of a heart attack on his way home from a perfect weekend with his family at his camp in Lincoln, Maine. He shared 26 beautiful years of marriage with his wife Kelli Gough. Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on July 6th 1971, Jeff was the son of Joan Stubbs and Barry Gough. He spent his childhood moving from town to town in Southern Maine, and his early life was spent primarily with his mother Joan, stepfather Ed and his two sisters, Shannon and Lori. Jeff often recalled many of his childhood memories of working around his family's horses, and camping trips to his special place north of Millinocket, where he had been going since he was a boy. I can't share where exactly this place is though, because he might haunt me from the grave for sharing such confidential information. I hope anyone that got to spend time with Jeff in his secret slice of heaven appreciates it, because it means he truly trusted you. He graduated from Bonny Eagle High School in the early 90s and spent a short time attending Unity College where he made lifelong friends. In 1995, Jeff met Kelli, the love of his life, during a friend's white-water rafting trip. However, it wasn't love at first sight. Their paths crossed again on a blind date, which Jeff believed he "botched" after awkwardly eating a steak with his bare hands—after all, who gives plastic utensils for steak? Despite his clumsy first impression, his mother Joan encouraged him to send Kelli a bouquet for her birthday, knowing she was someone special. This gesture led to a second date, and the rest is history. By May 1998, they tied the knot, embarking on a remarkable 26-year journey filled with unwavering love that showed through every challenge life presented. Every decision that Jeff made in life he put his family first. This included sacrificing years on the road for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, working for the shipwrights for many years. There, he spent long hours often working seven days a week, all while mastering the game of Cribbage with his road mates at night. Eventually Jeff ascended to team leader, finding a sense of pride running projects for the Navy across the US. His years on the road provided for his family that was often on the other side of the country; however, being away didn't mean he wasn't present. Hours of each day while he was away were spent on the phone with his wife and sons at home, making it feel like he wasn't gone at all. Along with that, he would regularly send flowers to his wife's work if she was having a particularly bad day. In our house, Jeff went by many names; Jeffro, Heffe, Shakey Chrome Dome, Old Man, but most of all, he was Dad. Being a dad was the most important part of his life. After growing up without his biological father, Jeff devoted his life to being the father he never got. He raised two sons, Wyatt and Adam. As one of these sons, I can undoubtedly attest to the father he was. Dad was the ultimate family man, showing us how to properly carry ourselves through life as good men. He never faltered in giving us support, whether we wanted to buy a beater truck or hike the Appalachian Trail. He made sure to be there for us every step of the way, and made sure we knew that he was proud of us. He shared countless times in the woods with my brother and I hunting deer, moose, ducks, or anything else under the sun that we were chasing. He was always the first call after a successful hunt, and he was almost always the first person to give us a big hug in the woods standing over a deer. Many more good times were spent by the rest of the family figuring out "how the hell Jeff missed that deer." In 2016, Jeff made one of his life's dreams come true; buying a camp in Northern Maine to have a place to spend quality time with his family. Over the following years, he and his loved ones rebuilt a once downtrodden camp into a four season home that he planned to spend his golden years with his wife in. He never got that, but his times at camp over the previous eight years were some of the best of his life. Thousands of laps were made around Little Narrows pond with him at the helm of his pontoon boat, hundreds of fish were caught (at least until the darn smelts took over and they wouldn't touch his perch Rapala), and countless trips were made next door to the Pelkey's / Tolman's. Jeff was predeceased by his mother Joan Stubbs, father Barry Gough, and brother Steve Gough. Jeff is survived by his wife Kelli Gough, son Adam Gough and partner Belle Libby, son Wyatt Gough and partner Isabelle Jimmo, future granddaughter Willow Gough, sister Lori Babb, sister Shannon Stubbs and step father Ed Stubbs. My father certainly did not want a traditional funeral service. Instead, he always said he wanted everyone to get together and have a big party to share a few, or even a few too many, drinks in his memory. You can join us at noon on Saturday, September 28th at 96 Town House Rd. in Effingham, NH to share some stories about Jeff. This is a potluck event, if your are coming make sure to bring your own beverages and lawn chairs. Arrangements in the care of Veilleux-Redington-Lawry Brothers, 8 Elm Street, Waterville, where memories of Jeffrey may be shared, and an online register book can be signed by visiting www.vrlfuneralhome.com.