Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - Jeffrey Scott Caron, M.D., 44, formerly of Thomaston, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes in his Ft. Lauderdale home on Sunday, March 6, 2011.
Jeff was born in the old Knox Hospital in Rockland, Maine on March 14, 1966, son of Louis and Sandra (Richards) Caron. He grew up in Thomaston and displayed early the initiative that would characterize his life. He was the youngest, at 10 years old, Courier Gazette paperboy, growing a route that he inherited from 18 to 45 customers, enabling him to purchase his own bike. He was also the leader of the "Elm Street Gang," spearheading many an epic game of hide and seek or "SPUD" with the neighborhood kids.
Jeff completed his K-12 education in Thomaston schools, graduating as Salutatorian of the Georges Valley High School, class of 1984. During high school, Jeff was equally well liked and respected by teachers and peers; he connected with everyone regardless of title or social group. He had an insatiable curiosity and would not stop asking questions until he had an answer that satisfied him. His science fair entries were always ambitious; as a ninth grader, his nuclear power project took third place at the Maine State Science Fair. While in high school, Jeff ran Cross-Country and served as a Sports Photographer for the Courier Gazette. He was the yearbook photo editor, played drums in the band, and took pride in revitalizing the Student Council. Jeff was selected as the GVHS Hugh O'Brien (HOBY) Award winner as a sophomore, elected to Dirigo Boys' State as a junior, and received the Daughters of the American Revolution Award as a senior, each recognizing his significant community service.
Jeff became a junior firefighter before he had his driver's license, arriving at many a call with his mother in the passenger's seat. He later completed his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, becoming the youngest EMT on the crew and the only member who needed to leave class for ambulance calls in the middle of the school day; he often went directly to the scene, arriving in advance of the ambulance and crew. He was also a Special Police Officer for the Thomaston Police Department, completing his training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.
A long time Boy Scout, Jeff earned that group's highest honor, the Eagle Scout award, during his sophomore year. He worked as a Boy Scout camp counselor at Camp William Hinds in Raymond for several summers. After missing the Thomaston Fourth of July celebration one of these summers, he vowed never to do so again, becoming one of "Peter's Pyros," setting up and lighting the annual fireworks celebration each year through college and medical school. He rarely missed a Thomaston Fourth of July no matter where he relocated.
Upon graduating high school, Jeff first matriculated to Bates College, majoring in Biology. While at Bates, he helped form the popular band "Dorm Damage", and was a Resident Assistant his two final years. He also spent a term studying the Costa Rican rain forest. His hometown was never far away, however, and he frequently returned home on the weekends, working as a dispatcher for Thomaston Emergency Services and as clerk in the Emergency Department at Pen Bay Medical Center.
Jeff entered medical school after graduating from Bates, enrolling in the University of Vermont, College of Medicine, from which he graduated in 1993. He completed a one year emergency medical residency at Orlando Regional Medical Center in Orlando, FL and later a two year family medicine residency in Memphis, TN. Upon relocating to Ft. Lauderdale, he initially worked in the ER of a local hospital, however he missed the connection with his patients to which he had become accustomed during his family practice work. He joined a private practice, Las Olas, and later purchased the business, ultimately moving and renaming the practice Urgent Care of Wilton Manors.
While he will be remembered for many things, his family will most cherish his incredible kindness and generosity. He sincerely believed that it was his calling to make others' lives better through his own and spent his life doing just that.
Jeff is predeceased by his grandparents Joseph and Lois Richards of Thomaston and Oscar and Gloria Simmons of Rockland.
Jeff is survived by his parents, Sandra (Richards) and Louis Caron of Thomaston; sister Michelle (Caron) Grant of Thomaston; brother Chris Caron of Warren; sister Heather (Caron) Van Buskirk and husband Scott of South Thomaston; special friend Brian Humphries of Ft. Lauderdale, who has adopted Jeff's beloved dogs Sara and Tony; aunts Joanne Richards of Thomaston, Peg Richards McGowan and husband Bob of Essex Junction, VT, Cindy Ducale and husband Gary of Hope, and Jackie Harjula of Thomaston; uncles Bill Richards and wife Anne Maria of Thomaston, Steven Richards and wife Karen of Warren; nieces Olivia and Grace Van Buskirk; nephews Chad Winslow and Tyler Grant; and a grand nephew Kael Aaron Winslow (born March 6, 2011).
The family also has many memories of all the cousins playing together during holiday celebrations and summer vacations, they include, Michael, Kathy, Dan, Kevin, Mike, Brian, Lisa, Coty, Donny, Maria, Susie, and Jimmy.
Visiting hours will be from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Monday, March 14, 2011 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, where a celebration of his life will be held, at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, March 15. The Reverend Wayne Sawyer will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the Jeffrey Scott Caron, MD Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Camden National Bank, 188 Main Street, Thomaston, ME 04861 or at any Camden National branch.