Jerome D. Stanhope, 74, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2026 after a heroic battle with cancer. Thanks to the wonderful MaineGeneral Hospice program, he was at home with his loving family.

Jerry was born in Portland on Jan 3, 1952, the first child of the late H. Joseph and Rosalthe (Lothrop) Stanhope. He attended Portland schools, graduated from Cheverus High School in 1970, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Masters in Business Administration. For over 30 years, he was a tax policy expert with Maine Revenue Services. He provided professional economic analysis to gubernatorial administrations, senior government officials, legislatures, the media and the public. His work in Maine was recognized by colleagues in other states through participation in the Federation of Tax Administrators’ annual Revenue Estimating and Forecasting conferences. Toward the end of his career, he received the rare honor of a Legislative Sentiment.

All this despite a genetic visual impairment that left him legally blind from birth. All his life he gave his parents tremendous credit for their support in raising him during a time that was not very enlightened regarding a person’s potential regardless of disability.

On June 14,1986 he married Virginia Johnson, originally from Winthrop. They settled in Hallowell and raised their son Joseph, who is a fine man due largely to Jerry’s influence. In his retirement he enjoyed keeping up with the tech and financial fields through various podcasts, and was always a reliable source of advice in these areas for family and friends. Jerry and Ginny walked countless happy miles on the Kennebec River Rail Trail, and he will be missed by the trail buddies they befriended over the years.

If you didn’t know him well, Jerry’s quiet exterior could mask his warm, generous, humorous nature. But if you knew him, you loved him. Jerry faced his final illness with the same courage and grace that defined his entire life. He was a true gentleman from start to finish.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by dear mother-in-law Eileen Johnson and brothers-in-law Thomas Bertocci and Daniel Bigley,

In addition to Ginny and Joe, he is survived by siblings Cynthia Bertocci and her children Elena (sons Mallku and Gael) and Philip (wife Marina), Judith Stanhope, and Dennis Stanhope, sister-in-law Zoe Bigley and her sons Gregory (wife Cathryn, daughter Vika) and Geoffrey (wife Holly, daughter Brooke), brothers-in-law Joseph Johnson, his wife Robin and their sons Michael (wife Katie), and Matthew, John Johnson, Charles Johnson and his children Emily (her children Clara, Hendrick and Calliope) and Zachary (his children Iris and Charlie, special cousin John “Jock” Lufkin, and many other cousins on both his and Ginny’s sides of the family,

A gathering celebrating Jerry’s life will be held on Thursday July 9 at 1:00 p.m. (ceremony at 2:00 p.m.) at Knowlton & Hewins Funeral Home on 1 Church St. in Augusta.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry’s name may be made to the Iris Network (whose programs assist the blind & visually impaired), 189 Park Avenue, Portland ME 04102, 207-774-6273, giving@theiris.org