LEWISTON – James ‘Jay’ Frank Tutwiler, 49, of Auburn, passed back into God’s hand on Feb. 28, at Central Maine Medical Center, in Lewiston, after a long hospitalization.

He was born on May 9, 1957 in Sanford, to the late Frances Thompson-Green Croteau and James Tutwiler. He attended Massabesic High School and was a graduate of the University of Southern Maine, with a degree in finance in 1980. In February 1979, he married Helen John, of New Gloucester. On April 24, 1987, he married E. Jeni (Elmer) Tutwiler.

He was professionally licensed as a real estate broker in Maine and in Calif. He grew up in East Waterboro. He always loved Los Angeles, and lived there for many years, living briefly in Salt Lake City and Arlington, Texas. Though he began working for Dunkin’ Donuts and owned his own small chain of donut shops, he also successfully brokered real estate and commercial properties here and on the west coast. After a bout with esophogheal cancer in 1997, he began to work for jewelry stores. His last job was with Kay Jewelers at the Auburn Mall. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church of Auburn.

He had a lifelong dedication to weightlifting and fitness, and helped hundreds of people with nutrition and their own health issues. He enjoyed silent film, Sunday drives, and will be remembered for his fabulous sense of humor and style, and for being a consistent gentleman in the lives of hundreds who were lucky enough to know him. He was a true renaissance man.

He is survived by his wife, Jeni, of Auburn; his son, Frank, of Los Angeles, Calif..; his stepchildren, Ben Holder, and wife Lindsay, of Auburn, and Michelle Dillingham, and husband, Petty Officer Jeremy, of Laurel, Md.; granddaughter, Sophie; father, James Tutwiler, of Fla.; his uncle, Sam Woodsome and cousin Danny Woodsome, both of Limerick

He is preceded in death by his mother, and brother Philip Green. Jr.