THOMASTON — Jacob Robert Witham, 22, passed away Friday, March 20, 2020 in Orland. Born in Belfast, February 25, 1998 to Troy and Dawn (Carpentier) Witham, he was educated in local schools.

Graduating from Oceanside High School in 2016, he went on to attend Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) in the fall of 2016 for culinary arts.

Jacob went to work creating his own world. Armed with a ukulele, a spatula and boundless curiosity, he was a modern-day Viking, creating joy, fighting negativity and clearing out a path of truth. Not only did he march to the beat of a different drummer, he seemed to write a new song just about every day. He blasted out these anthems from a grand piano, a ukulele, and even a homemade “carrot ocarina.”

Music carried over to the kitchen where he performed jazz solos, using recipes as mere guidelines while riffing and whipping up his own creations of mustard chicken and “concrete cornbread.” He was never without scissors, paper or ideas, fashioning duct-tape inventions and origami creations. Jacob started a trend with his “Steve” monkey, build-a-bear, and hit the road with Trekkers. His backwards hat became his trademark along with his ever-changing hairstyle, infectious laugh, and broad smile.

That smile brightened the world and attempted to shield him from darker realities. He was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome at a young age and later battled depression. Jacob chose to leave this world for heaven on March 20, 2020.

His life wasn’t always easy, but he figured out a way to carve out a role as a son, brother, Boy Scout, chef, and ultimately as a member of the Pursuit Church. A dream in the last year brought him to the Bible and then to the church where Pastor Nate baptized him. Music again played a major role. Tracie, a member of the church, taught him new songs on the piano and of course he shared some originals with his new friend and his new congregation.

Jacob’s smiles were always brightest on Large Green Island. He loved scavenger hunts, bog hole swims, and water gun fights. He checked the mailbox daily for special deliveries, skipped rocks, and built towering 4th of July bonfires. He was always up for a buggy ride, whether chauffeuring family, visiting secret spots or checking in on “Grampy” at the Viking’s Grave.

Inspired by her brother, Haylie created a list for us to remember and follow:

“Rules of Jacob”

1. Appreciate the smallest moments in life.

2. Don’t hesitate to be quirky, weird or different.

3. Sing and play loudly for everyone to hear.

4. Always put your two cents in the conversation.

5. Accept every single person you meet.

6. Don’t take life too seriously.

7. Do not filter what you’re thinking, (Even though this can get you into trouble and it often did) as long as you’re being brutally honest in life, you’re being true to yourself!

8. Be righteous.

Jacob is survived by his parents, Dawn and Troy Witham of Thomaston; his sister, Haylie Witham of Plymouth, New Hampshire; his brother, Benjamin Witham of Thomaston; his grandparents, Barbara Witham of Owls Head; Nana Gayle and Papa Robert Carpentier of Rockland; and many aunts uncles and cousins that include, his Auntie “Kimmie” Stone of Warren; his cousin, Joey Norris and Mackenzie of Owls Head; his Aunt Tori Witham Lebel of Brunswick; his Aunt Teri and Uncle Jeff Turgeon and their children Kristin and Jonathan of North Grafton Massachusetts; his Aunt Renee and Uncle Brian Fellows and their children, Zachary Allen, Violet, and Owen of Cushing; cousins, Tyler Plummer and his daughters, Stella and Sophie, Erin Luke and her daughter Kairi. Great Grandmother Olga Carpentier, Great, Great Aunt Gloria Witham, Great Aunt Sharon Hayes, Great Uncle Kurt Olsen, Great Uncle and Aunt Danny and Jenni Porter, Great Aunt Pat Porter, Great Uncle Bob Carlson, Carol and Skip Young, Terri and John Rodenhiser, Randy Carpentier, Michele and Ron Carpentier, Deb Perry, Great Aunt Rosie Purdue, and “Toddie” Starbird.

Cousins Mike, Amy, Wilder, Peter, Lynn, Jasper, Lily, Grayson, Hudson, Matthew and Kurt Rodenhiser, Whitney, Christopher, and Dalton Carpentier, Kayla, Olivia, and Mariah Carpentier, Eric, and Brianna Perry, Danielle Fields, Alex Carpentier, Tammy, Rick, and Samantha Fowles, Michele, Dwayne, Dustin, and Richele Robinson, Josh, Julia, and Jaylynn Porter, Angie Porter, Terry Hodges, Rob and Carol Carlson, Catrina and Dave Guiggy, Rob and Darcy Carlson, Christine and Calvin Morin, Rohobat, and Sena Carlson, Tim and Cindy Carlson, Nichole, Andrew, Heather, and Eric Harvey, Darrin, Colleen, Tonya, Naomi, and Mariah Carlson, Bruce, Tracy, Christopher and Colby Carlson, Billy Porter and his son Greg Porter, Cheryl Howard and her fiancé Darryl Haskell, Becky and Patrick Lowe, Julia Howard, Vicky Porter, Eric and Yuriana Rytky, Cassandra and Craig Mitchell, Kimberly, and Danielle Porter, Chris, Rhianna, and Addison Porter.

He is also survived by his Great Uncle and Aunt Nathan and Frauke Witham of Germany and cousins, Michael Witham, Karin, Alex, Charlotte, David, Marina, and Robert; Great Aunt Wendy Wilkerson, and cousins, Jon, Cathy, Kessler, Sawyer, Mark, Kristyn, Brexton, Sara, Zach, Quinn, Piper, and Oakley; Great Uncle Barry Witham and cousins, Michael, Drake, Hazel, Gray, and Cole.

He was preceded in death by his Grampy, Robert “Jake” Witham; his Grammy, (Barbara) Haynes; Great Grandmother Afton Bates Haggett Witham, Joan Carlson, grandparents William and Ruth Porter, Great Uncle Chuck Perry, his Aunt Margaret “Peggy” Witham, and Great Grandfather Richard Carpentier Sr.

To share a memory or condolence with Jacob’s family, visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com