Upper Enchanted Twp

Jonathan Ryan (Jake) Vining, 36, of Upper Enchanted Twp. left us on September 1. Born in Brunswick, Maine on June 11, 1981, Jake lived every day of his life to the fullest.

Jonathan was given the name Jake by his beloved grandfather, Ralph. As a child, he was so insistent that he be called that name that many did not realize it was not his given name.

Jake grew up in Woolwich and Upper Enchanted where he could be found hunting, fishing, trapping and tearing up the dirt roads with his brother Matt. The first family to live full-time in their little neck of the Upper Enchanted, Jake and his brother excelled at their homeschooling studies. Their family unit of four forged a bond that not only helped them to live in the Northwoods, but to know that they would always be there for each other.

Jake was a skilled operator of excavation and logging equipment; a true talent that came to him naturally. Jake learned to drive on the paper company roads hauling gravel in an early 60’s Mack dump truck. Alongside his father and brother, he built many roads in the north woods. As a teen, Jake was re-yarding tractor trailer trucks loaded with logs on ice covered mountain roads before he ever parallel parked on any downtown street.

His years of living in the north Maine woods shaped him into an accomplished outdoorsman. He loved to fish and excelled at hunting.

He was gifted with a phenomenal memory for numbers and could tell you the exact elevation of every mountain in the north Maine woods. Jake was always quick with a smile and a story.

Above all Jake’s greatest passion and love was his son Wyatt. His pride and joy.

Jake is survived by his son, Wyatt and Wyatt’s mother Heather Burke and her children Zeb and Skyler of Windham, his father and mother Ken and Lori Wright Vining of Woolwich, his brother Matthew and sister-in-law, Roxanne Vining of Moose River, sister Heidi Hickman of Carthage, TX, paternal grandmother Carolyn Vining of Poland, many aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Jake was predeceased by his paternal grandfather Ken Vining, Sr, maternal grandfather and grandmother Ralph and Helen Wright, niece Olyvia Hickman and cousin David Kimball.

There will be a celebration of Jake’s life at the camp on 42 Old Spencer Road, Upper Enchanted Twp. beginning at noon Saturday, September 9. Attire will be “Jake Casual”, ball caps, flannel shirts and work boots are encouraged

.lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to “Wyatt Vining Educational Fund”, 82 Dana Mill Road, Woolwich, ME 04579

There will be a private committal service at a later date. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Giberson Funeral Home and cremation services. To send a condolence to the family, please visit www.gibersonfuneralhome.com.