Dr. John F. Gaddis ’69
Dr. John F. Gaddis, 77, died at his home in the Jacksonville District of East Machias on September 23, 2024. John was born December 15, 1946, in East Machias, the third child of J. Francis and Nell (Hanscom) Gaddis.
Dr. Gaddis was a proud alumnus of Washington Academy, Maine Maritime Academy, and the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine. John was the last of his breed, an old-school country doctor who cared for generations of Washington County residents while delivering more than two-thousand babies in his forty-three-year career. John was equally proud of his more than ten years “shipping out” as a Merchant Mariner. He sailed around the world on the biggest vessels of the time, including delivering supplies to Vietnam to support the war effort.
John served his community in many ways. He served on the Board of Trustees at Washington Academy for thirty-six years, he also was active for many years in the Maine Osteopathic Association, including serving a term as president. John was a proud Master Mason of Warren Lodge #2. He also was a longtime member of the 32 Special Hunting Club of Berry Township. John was a sixth generation East Machias Blueberry Farmer and served as a board member for the Wild Blueberry Association of North America.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a grandson, Wesley Keeton; his beloved siblings, Ruth Leubecker and George Gaddis; and in-laws, Wesley and Margaret Vose. He is survived by his children, Rebecca Hennessey and husband, Michael, Kate Keeton and husband, Lee, Meghan Dennison and partner, Chad, Zeke Gaddis and wife, Abigail; grandchildren, Derek, Brian, Ben, Rachael, Grace, George, Lily, John, James, Sarah, and Harper. John is also survived by his sister, Margaret Gardner and husband, Dick; sister-in-law, Mary Beth Gaddis; nephews, Jeff, Scott, and Kevin; and niece, Gillian.
Latest Eight Bells
- Leroy W. Philbrook ’57THOMASTON — Leroy “Roy” W. Philbrook, 90, of Thomaston, passed away peacefully at the Sussman House in Rockport on April 10, 2025. Born on February 18, 1935, in Stoneham, Massachusetts, Roy was the son of Ivan A. and Naida H. (Ainsworth) Philbrook. A 1954 graduate of Rockland High School, Roy went on to explore his […]
- Capt. Ronald W. Snyder ’73On April 2, 2025, Captain Ronald W. Snyder passed away unexpectedly after a fall. But like any good sea story, you must start at the beginning. Captain Ron was born in Bangor, Maine, Nov. 6, 1950, the son of Clarence and Patricia Snyder. His father was a Navy Seabee, master tradesman, and lifelong builder who […]
- Daniel L. Thurber ’70PORTLAND – Dan “The Man” Thurber, 77, died Sunday March 23, 2025. Our dad and papa, Daniel Lee Thurber was born Feb. 20, 1948 at the Maine Eye and Ear Infirmary at the corner of Congress and Bramhall Streets to parents George and Erdine Thurber. He spent his childhood playing outside his home which is […]
- Donald H. Silke ’55Silke died on March 6, 2025, after an extended illness. After graduating from MMA, Donald served in the Merchant Marines before enlisting in the Navy. At the completion of active duty, he relocated to the Washington D.C. area to pursue a career in civil service for the Department of the Navy. He retired in 1994 […]
- William E. Haggett, MMA Trustee EmeritusWilliam E. Haggett passed away peacefully at his Birch Point home in West Bath on Saturday, March 1, 2025. He had been diagnosed with interstitial lung disease the previous October. He was born in Bath to Doris Jordan and Charles Lemont Haggett. He attended Bath schools and met his future wife, Sally True, in the […]
- Chad J. Morin ’96With profound sadness we share that our beloved husband, father, son and friend, Chad Joseph Morin, 51, passed away unexpectedly on February 25, 2025 at his home in Old Orchard Beach. Chad was born on April 12, 1973, to Melvin and Florine Morin, in Biddeford, Maine. Chad loved the four seasons of Maine and found […]