Joseph E. Vail ’80

GORHAM- Joseph Edward Vail, 65, passed away at his home in Gorham, surrounded by his loving family, on February 15th after a courageous battle with cancer. Joe was born on June 3, 1958, in Portland, Maine to Barbara (Foley) and Richard Vail.

Joe grew up in the Portland area, the third of seven children, five boys and two girls. In 1972 his parents moved the family from Portland to a new home in Buxton.

Joe graduated from Bonny Eagle High School in 1976. He then went on to Maine Maritime Academy where he played soccer. He graduated in the top 10 of his class from MMA with a BS in Marine Engineering and a minor in Engineering Science.

He was a Senior Field Engineer for General Electric from 1980 until his retirement in June of 2022. Joe was a member of the Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. Through the years his job brought him around the world. He spent some years living in Virginia before returning back to Maine to be near family. He was a respected leader in his field and was sought out for advice often, even in retirement.

After Joe moved back to Maine he started dating his future wife, Faith, on his birthday in 1988. They started a life together along with daughter Jennifer and were married December 19, 1998. Joe and Faith shared a love of animals, especially dogs, laughter, and being active in the lives of their daughter and grandchildren.

When Joe wasn’t working he enjoyed spending time with his family boating, fishing with his dad and grandkids, and hunting with his brother and friends. He enjoyed watching sports, especially the Patriots, listening to the Beatles and traveling. One of his favorite trips was when he took Faith, Jenn, and his parents to Hawaii. Many of his favorite times were with his grandchildren at his camp in Sinclair.

Joe was a kind-hearted, generous person. He was always there for friends and family when they needed him. Joe had quite a sense of humor, at times inappropriate, and a highly contagious laugh. He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. He will be missed dearly by all who knew him.

Joe is predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Faith M. (Bean) Vail of Gorham, daughter Jennifer (Bean) and her husband Jason Linscott of Steep Falls. His grandchildren, Wyatt, Gage, Ivory and Cole Linscott of Steep Falls. He is also survived by four brothers, Richard J. Vail and his wife Phyllis of Fort Myers, Florida, Michael T. Vail and his wife Janet of Portland, Maine, Thomas C. Vail and his wife Mari of Windham Maine, Mark B. Vail and his wife Vicki of Saco, Maine, and two sisters Alica L. (Vail) Berglund and her husband Andrew of South Portland, Maine and Teresa A. (Vail) Folley and her husband Andrew of South Portland, Maine. He will also be greatly missed by his many cousins, nieces and nephews.