CENTER HARBOR---Jeffrey P. Vaughn, 62, passed away on, Sunday, June 15, 2025, at home with his loving wife, Pam by his side.
Jeff was born July 16, 1962, in Bangor, Maine to Robert Allen and Grace Eleanor (Sabine) Vaughn and graduated from Bangor High School in 1981.
Jeff’s passion for food and his life-long career as a cook, restaurateur, and chef began at the side of his mother at the age of 14. He worked beside her at her restaurant, Roy’s Lunch and at Colonial House of Pancakes in Bangor Maine. He went on to manage several CHOP restaurants, and later became supervisor of New England for the company.
Jeff came to the Lakes Region at the request of his life-long friend and mentor, Ed Bellerive. Jeff worked at JT’s through the end of the summer season and then at Ed’s Bakery where he met his future wife. Jeff went on to manage, and become a partner and owner of JT’s BBQ & Seafood in the Weirs. After closing his restaurant, he worked at Genesis Laconia as a cook, kitchen manager, and assistant food service director. He ventured back to restaurant work as a prep chef at The Breeze by the Lake, his dream retirement job.
The focus of Jeff’s life was his wife and children. He was a loyal, loving family man, and instilled his values, morals and integrity in his children. He had an incredible work ethic which influenced his children, many of his employees, and coworkers. He loved hard and his smile and laugh were infectious. Jeff easily made life-long friends wherever he went.
Jeff enjoyed golfing, playing pool, fishing, playing guitar, making walking sticks, and especially entertaining and cooking for his family and friends. He was always the “wheelman” at family functions and reunions. He happily shared his recipes and knowledge of anything food related. He looked forward to summer vacations at his happy place on the coast of Maine with his family, extended family, and friends he considered family.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Eugene Franklin Lawrence and Robert Earl Vaughn.
Jeff is survived by his devoted wife of 31 years, Pamela S. (Bigl) Vaughn; two daughters, Christine N. Vaughn of Bangor, ME, and Amanda M. Vaughn (Christopher D. Chinn) of Lebanon, NH; two sons, Jeffrey P. Vaughn II (Alyssa M.) of Moultonborough, NH, and John R. Vaughn of Center Harbor, NH; two grandchildren, Zoe C. Chinn of Lebanon, NH and Conner D. Chinn of Lebanon, NH; and two sisters, Gertrude M. Hobson of Glenburn, ME and Sharon H. Grant of Auburndale, FL.
Calling Hours with a Memorial Service will be held from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, on Monday, June 30, 2025, at Mayhew Funeral Home in Meredith, NH.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are under the care of Mayhew Funeral Homes and Crematorium. To sign the online book of memories, please go to mayhewfuneralhomes.com.