1982 – 2004

JAY – Jesse T. Harding, 21, of Canton, died unexpectedly early Friday morning, Jan. 23, in Jay.

He was born Oct. 8, 1982, in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., the son of Lauren M. and Ivy Joudrey Harding. Educated N.Y. and Maine schools, he graduated in 2001 from Dirigo High School where he was an honor student and excelled in cross-country and track. He was continuing his education at Central Maine Community College.

He was employed in several area service industries. His most recent employer was SWB Construction in Jay. He was proud to work at International Paper Company’s Androscoggin Mill where his paternal grandfather was manager in the 1960’s.

An avid collector of coins and sports cards, he enjoyed a love of reading and shared his father’s devotion to music. Recently, he was reading the works of Wilhelm Reich. Included in his current favorite musical artists were Tool, Perfect Circle, The Doors and Alice In Chains. He also enjoyed supporting the local band Abominable.

Named by his father, the name Jesse was chosen because it means “God’s gift.” His father said that defined precisely how he felt about his son. He was also named for a civil war ancestor, Jesse D. Harding.

He will be remembered for his compassion, generosity, and honesty. His love of family defined who he was, and he expressed his love for them daily and enthusiastically. He was especially close to his cousin, Miranda Marsters, and had a special bond with his nephew Alex and niece Madison. Animals, and his dogs in particular, brought him joy. His family wrote, “Jesse will be in our thoughts and hearts daily and we will miss him eternally.”

He is survived by his mother, Ivy Harding and her companion Tom Doiron of Canton; his father, Lauren M. Harding of Corinth, N.Y.; maternal grandmother, Roberta and her husband Ernest Olson of New Auburn; maternal grandfather, Tom Joudrey of Wilton; three sisters, Sarah Harding and her companion John Cardinale of Queensbury, N.Y., Rebekah and her husband Tim Cardinale of Glens Falls, N.Y., and Perri and her husband Chris Boggs of Lake Luzerne, N.Y.; special aunts, Paula Marsters of Canton, and Molly Baker of Eagle River, Alaska; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins; and countless friends.

He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Erva and Perry Harding.

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