Jay Dean Poole, born May 30, 1940, age 84, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2025. A long-time resident of Wilmington, DE, he was the son of Jay E. Poole and Dorthey J. Poole (Erie, PA), who preceded him in death, as did his sister Janet L. Poole, and his stepmother Cindy Lemur. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy M. Poole, his son Jay Scott (Amy), daughter Jennifer Lindsey Peckham (Greg), son, Ryan Dean (Samantha), and grandchildren Abigail, Bradford, Kylie and Grayson. He is also survived by his brother Dr. R. Gary Poole (Cindy L. Wells) of Myrtle Beach, SC
Jay grew up in Meadville, PA where he attended Meadville High School. In high school, Jay was a cross-country runner and avid member of The Boy Scouts of America where he was awarded the highest ranking of Eagle Scout. While attending college at Muskingum University (New Concord, OH) he fostered his love for the outdoors by guiding high adventure canoeing and camping trips in Northern Minnesota for the Boy Scouts.
After graduation from college, he met his wife Nancy who was attending Westminster College (New Wilmington, PA). Upon marrying in 1967, the two settled in Wilmington, DE to begin careers in education. Jay worked and retired from the Brandywine School District, spending 30 plus years in the classroom teaching social studies/geography to hundreds of Delaware students. He held teaching assignments at Forward Elementary, Talley Junior High, and Brandywine High School. Jay was a resident of Wilmington for more than 60 years. It is here that he and Nancy raised three children while enjoying having their four grandchildren close by. Jay always had a lot of pride in his children and grandchildren and took time to share his passion of the outdoors with them any chance he could.
As a teacher, Jay had his summers available and he quickly realized that he wanted to share his love of the outdoors, scouting, and canoeing with others in the Wilmington, DE region. Thus, in 1967, Wilderness Canoe Trips ‘The Water Fun People’, was born. Over the next 55 years, Jay ‘The King of Canoes’ orchestrated a small family business which offered canoe, kayaking, and tubing trips on the Brandywine River and other nationally recognized rivers and lakes. It was here where thousands of children, adults, travelers, friends, students, and pets were able to experience the sport of canoeing and enjoy the scenery of the Delaware Valley via The Brandywine River. For nearly six decades, he was the voice of canoeing throughout the tri- state area. Whether it took him to Maine for canoes, the Artic Circle for fishing, Canada for camping, West Virginia for rafting, or Harrisburg for adventure races, he was called upon to “make it work!”
Wilderness Canoe Trips was the soul of Jay Poole. He was a spirited man that was always up for adventure while having a unique and energetic personality. He was extremely proud of his family and spent many hours at the shop with employees and customers that he treated like family which many returned every year for fun times on the Brandywine. It was here, at the shop and on the river, where there are many heartfelt and hilarious memories which will be cherished for many years to come.
The family would like to thank all the students, ‘worker bees’, customers, and friends that are considered his (our) extended family. As he said many of times – The Beat Goes On!
While his final years were subdued, he always made it known how lucky he felt to have the family and life he had. Up to his final days, he thanked everyone!
The family would like to thank all who were involved with his care, particularly, Sunrise of Wilmington staff and Compassionate Care Hospice staff.
A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at the McCrery & Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE on Tuesday, May 13 at 3:00 pm. Friends may call beginning at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brandywine Creek State Park “In Memory of” … OR in the name of Jay Dean Poole to Charles L. Sommers Alumni Association, Inc. PO Box 428, Ely, MN 55731.
