WILTON – A Farmington man drowned after diving from a pontoon boat on Wilson Lake Tuesday evening.
Jeffrey Mitchell, 63, of Farmington, had been boating with a friend, Martha Martin of Wilton, with plans to go swimming, according to Cpl. John MacDonald, a spokesman for the Maine Warden Service.
“Mitchell dove from his pontoon boat into the water and surfaced struggling. Martin attempted to help Mitchell to the boat without success,” MacDonald said in a new release Wednesday.
Martin was aided by two nearby kayakers and another boater and together were able to remove Mitchell from the water and transport him by watercraft to a nearby boat landing where they were met by medical personnel.
Mitchell was pronounced dead at the scene.
Emergency crews were called 6:36 p.m. Tuesday evening. Responding were Maine game wardens, Wilton Fire & Rescue and the Wilton Police Department personnel.
Proper personal floatation devices (PFD) were located in Mitchell’s pontoon boat, however he was not wearing a PFD at the time of the incident, MacDonald said.
The incident remains under investigation.
I am so sorry to learn this! He was a good man, one who had a lot more to contribute.
Very sorry to hear this. Condolences to the Mitchell family. I worked with Jeff only briefly, but he made a lasting impression on me. He will be missed.
Words are insufficient to address this tragic situation but I’ll try.
Jeff was a highly esteemed real estate professional, long-time member
even to the time of his death of the State Brokers Commission.
He provided invaluable wisdom and experience in a volatile, ever
changing field.
Rest in Peace Jeff. You were a good man. You’ll be missed. My condolences to the entire Mitchell family.
My dearest friend, I’m heartsick. To his family and all of his friends, my love and prayers.
Many condolences to the Mitchell family, his friends and all at Village Realty. Tragic and sad.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Mitchell family and with Martha Martin. This was a terrible tragedy. Rest in peace Jeff.
Tragic and sad, a great friend who was always there for me and many others. RIP Jeff you will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to the whole Mitchell family and his friends. You just never know…
My condolences to both the Mitchell family & Martha Martin. Jeff was a wonderful person and a good friend.
We will miss you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mitchell Family and Marty Martin. We are here for you.
Our condolences to the Mitchell family and close friends. I grew up with Jeff and have many fond memories. My last visit with him was on the lake, which he so loved. Rest in peace, dear friend.
We have lost an honest and decent man way to soon. Our thoughts and prayers to all his many friends and family.
Ed & Jan Lewis
My condolences to Jeff’s family, friends and workers. So sad to see that our community will once again say goodbye to an outstanding citizen. He sure could put a smile on anyone’s face with his presence. Rest in Peace.
Our condolences to the Jeff’s family, and especially to his sons. So sorry for this tragic accident.
What a tragedy condolences to his family
Honorary and spirited member of the eclectic group, “Wilton Grammar School Girls”, other organizations, associations, and network of family/friends who know and have enjoyed Jeff’s joie de vivre contribution(s), you are gone too soon. We all share a great loss. Sending love and condolences….
Condolences to his many friends and family.
Jeff helped me buy the house I plan to live in until the day I die. I doubt I’d be here now without his expertise. He even continued to check in on me and my family months after we’d moved in, and he was always so happy and sweet around the kids. I won’t forget him.
Sincere condolences to the family during this tragic time. I remember Jeff as a lovely human being.
Cannot believe this very sad news! Jeff was a good friend and a professional real estate person through and through. I will miss our informal get togethers and sit down lunches.Condolances to the Mitchell family and everyone at Village Reality. Rest in peace dear friend, we will think of you often.
My heart goes out to all the family of Jeff. May beautiful memories help see you through.
Take care.
So sorry to hear this news. My family send prayers to the Mitchells. My Dad was a long time friend of Jeff’s father.
To all of Jeff’s family: Our condolences and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. We have known Jeff for over 20 years as a realtor and friend. We always enjoyed being with him and his family and friends. He will be sorely missed. He was a good friend.
So sorry to hear the news of Jeff’s passing. He was a great man.
My prayers go out to the Mitchell family. Jack
Our condolences to Jeff’s family and friends.
I have known Jeff for over thirty years. He became part of my family. We all loved him and will miss him dearly. He left us all too soon but will never be forgotten.
How random is tragedy! Just saw him in July at the annual FOWL meeting and was glad to reconnect. His mother and my mother’s cousin were very close and he was an extraordinarily compassionate man.
Hearing the news of Jeff’s untimely death, left me feeling heavy-hearted. Jeff had a great presence. When I spoke with him he truly listened. He often offered his expertise and honesty, both of which, I respected. My condolences to his family. Jeff was an exceptional man and citizen in this community.
Jeff was a kind and well regarded individual, always friendly. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. My sincerest condolences to his family.
RIP Jeff We Will All Miss Yuu Dearly
RIP JEFF MITCHELL! You left this world way too young and too soon.
I read this with great sorrow. Jeff seemed to have enough life in him for two people. He will sorely missed by his friends and family.
Havent seen him for years, yet only 2 days ago i related a “Jeff story” to my sister. He was always wonderfully funny, kind and thoughtful……. judging by these commens, he still was. Sincere condolonces to his family and Ms. Martin. He will be missed by anyone fortunate enough to have crossed his path. Rest in peace, old friend.
How tragic. Another person who has left us too soon. I have known Jeff for over 30 years and thought of him as a good friend. I also used Jeff for my real estate transactions so also knew him on a professional level. :
My thoughts go out to his family and his colleagues at Village Realty. May the flying be aplenty from here on in Jeff.
Sally and Family, We are very sorry for your loss.
John & Barbara McCarthy
Rest in Peace, my friend.
Rest in peace Jeff, you’ll be missed.
We are shocked & saddened to hear we lost this kind soul. Jeff had a wonderful presence and we were so fortunate to not only have him a trusted Realtor, but more importantly, to be able to call him a friend. Our condolences to his family & co-workers. We will miss him.
I just heard of Jeff’s passing on the evening! He was a good guy whom I have known for what seems like a long time! He was currently listing several parcels of land for my wife leading to much interaction!
I spoke to him just a couple of days ago!
“No one lives forever! Who would want to? But (Jeff) you’re too soon gone, too soon gone!”
The Band
Jeff was a great guy, and one of the most “handy and clever” I’ve ever met. Anybody who has spent time in his house, garage or camp would agree. We will miss your one of kind sense of humor and your personal and professional advice.
Rest in peace Jeff, you will be missed.
so sorry to hear of Jeff’s passing prays go out to his family
His big smile warmed your heart, Wilton will miss you Jeff. Hugs and prayers to his friends and family!
So very sorry to hear this. My condolences to the Mitchell Family. Kent and Patty, my prayers are with you and your family. What a tragic loss.
Our condolences and prayers to family, friends, co-workers of Jeff Mitchell at this most difficult time. We have known Jeff for many years. Just saw him recently. What a tragic loss to all who knew him! Patti & Wayne
So sorry to hear of this tragic news. Jeff will be sorely missed.
Very sad. Jeff always had a smile and a hug.
My deepest condolences to all Sally and Jeffs family and many friends. His passing will be a loss for many. He was always warm and friendly and a joy to be around. We will miss you Jeff.
Prayers and healing to Martha and Jeff’s family. He was a good man and will be missed in this community.
If you wanted to know how to do something…..ask Jeff. He could do anything and everything and did it to perfection.
He was a very dear friend and will be missed.
My condolences to the Mitchell family and friends.
I was shocked to hear of Jeff ‘s passing. My deepest sympathies for Family members at this time of loss.. He was a voice of homeownership at the Maine Real Estate Commission. God Bless !! Rest in Peace !!
Way too soon Jeff! You lived life to the max and you will be missed.
Our condolences to all the Mitchell family. Jeff will be missed by all who knew him.
The Small’s in Phillips
I have known Jeff for almost 30 years and was shocked by his passing. Way too young. He did live life to the fullest and I know he will be missed by his close family and friends. God Bless!
You just don’t know what is going to happen when you get up in the morning. I have known Jeff for 30 or so years. Although we were not close, we always stopped to say “Hi” and chat for a few whenever we crossed paths. Jeff was working with me to put my house on the market soon and I just spoke with him on the phone about 3 weeks ago. I will miss working with him and crossing paths with him. My sincere condolences go out to all of his family and all of his friends. I am so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace, Jeff. BMR
Always a warm greeting,a smile and genuine conversation with a sense of humor to boot.He was only 13 days younger than myself .Too soon
It is SO true you never know what will happen when you wake up in the morning. It am still in shock and very very sad that you are not here. ;( Unfortunately life has NO guarantees. So make sure we tell our loved ones how we feel. Because life is WAY to short. Jeff was always willing to listen when I needed to talk and he did TRULY listen. He always knew when no words needed to be said and would just give me a big, warm hug. He would never judge. He had the biggest, warmest heart I knew. He truly was an AMAZING ONE OF A KIND MAN!! It truly does make my heart heavy to know he was taken MUCH to young and MUCH to soon. Heaven gained an amazing angel. My deepest condolences go out to your family. Love you. <3 RIP JEFF.
Very sad to hear of Jeffs passing…..He was always a nice guy….very friendly. My condolences.