WASHBURN, Maine — Officials at Northern Maine Community College and across the state are mourning the loss of a former state legislator, community leader and generous benefactor who worked tirelessly to support education and advance opportunities for Aroostook County residents.

James A. McBreairty, 94, of Washburn, died Nov. 10 at his home. McBreairty spent 12 years in the Legislature, served on countless boards and committees in Perham and Washburn and was a skilled farmer, welder, machinist, mechanic, carpenter and draftsman. He was instrumental in building a new elementary school in Per-ham, forming SAD 45 and building Washburn District High School.

McBreairty also touched past and future generations at NMCC in Presque Isle.

In 2007, he gave a $60,000 donation to the college to create the Dickinson-McBreairty Memorial Scholarship fund. The fund was named in honor of McBreairty and his late wife, Doris Dickinson McBreairty, as well as the couple's parents.

The donation provides three $1,000 scholarships annually to first-year students, one each from the communities of Perham, Wade and Washburn.

When McBreairty was growing up, he started school in Woodland each year while his parents worked on a farm. In the winter, the family worked on a woodlot near the family's home in Perham, which meant McBreairty had to switch schools midyear.

One year, the school he attended in Perham burned down and the books were destroyed. Because of this, McBreairty started high school late.

As a high school student, he stayed with a Caribou family during the school week so he could attend Caribou High, returning home on weekends. When he was a junior in high school, that Caribou family moved away. With no place to live, McBreairty had to drop out of high school and enter the work force.

McBreairty said in a 2007 interview that such hardships prompted him to stress the value of education not only to his own children, but also to others. It also prompted him to create the scholarships.

During his tenure in the Legislature, McBreairty successfully pushed forward an amendment to a bond proposal later supported by voters. The bond brought funding to NMCC's forerunner, Northern Maine Vocational Technical Institute, and helped create what is today the electronics wing at the college. He also wrote and fa-cilitated the laws that established the present-day Maine moose hunt.

“Jim's passion for Aroostook County is evident through the achievements he accomplished throughout his life,” Tim Crowley, president of NMCC, said Wednesday. “He championed this college and the work we did here. Our students were so grateful to him for the scholarship fund and for how much he supported this institu-tion. He left a great legacy through the scholarship program.”

He added that McBreairty was a “friend to all,” who will be “deeply missed.”

“We lost a real wonderful person when we lost Jim,” he said.

U.S. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe and former Gov. John R. McKernan Jr. also issued a statement on Tuesday mourning McBreairty's passing.

“We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our tremendous friend, Jim McBreairty, who served the great state of Maine and its people throughout his entire life with a limitless passion and unwavering commitment, which we were privileged to witness firsthand when we served with him in the Maine state Legislature,” they said.

Both lauded the 94-year-old for his work and dedication while serving as a representative and senator, saying that he “placed a premium on contributing to others throughout his life.”

“In the town of Perham, he held multiple offices from treasurer to selectman, while also serving on the school board for a remarkable 20 years, helping build two schools and organize SAD 45,” they said. “Jim then brought his selfless pursuit of public service to the Maine House of Representatives from 1975 to 1978, and the Maine Senate from 1979 to 1986 where his tenacity and perseverance as a public servant on behalf of his constituents was legendary.”

Both remarked that the state “lost a treasured friend.”

McBreairty was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Doris. He is survived by four children, 15 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, siblings, other relatives and friends.