BANGOR – Joseph M. Pechinski, 64, died Sunday, April 13, 2008, at his residence. He was the beloved husband of Sheila Pechinski for 42 years. He was born in 1943, in Peabody, Mass., a son of the late Benjamin and Dorothy Pechinski. He attended Central Catholic High School, Lawrence, Mass., earned his Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University on a track scholarship and earned his masters and doctorate from the University of Illinois. Before retiring, Joe was a full professor of education at the University of Maine, where he received the Excellence in Teaching Award and founded the Human Performance Center for cardiac and sports fitness research. He was a member of several professional organizations and served as the state chairman of the American College of Sports Medicine. He was responsible for the development of the Youth Aspirations program in the state of Maine and as president of East Side Little League, he inaugurated the first T-ball program in Bangor. Joe loved Maine and chose to move here when he fell in love with the state during a cross-country race as a member of the Northeastern team competing against the University of Maine. He ran the Boston Marathon. Joe was an avid hunter and fisherman. He served as president of the Penobscot Conservation Club and sat on several local boards including Bangor-Brewer YMCA and Penobscot Health Association. Dr. Pechinski is survived by his wife, Sheila; three sons and a daughter, Matthew Pechinski and his wife, Brooke, of New York City, Jason Pechinski and his wife, Linda, of Boston, Marie Karen Tringali and her husband, Jake, of Los Angeles, and Michael Pechinski of Bangor; three grandsons, Baxter, Hunter and Mason; a sister, Judy Matton of Chicago; two brothers, Tom Pechinski of Kansas City, Mo., and Michael Pechinski of San Francisco; four nephews and many cousins. Joe will be missed by many friends, colleagues, especially Glen Reif, Woody Carville and Jim Rog; and former students including Brian Seaward, who dedicated his successful book, Health of the Human Spirit, to his mentor. A service will be held 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 19, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, with the Rev. Roland Nadeau, Catholic Chaplain of St. Joseph Hospital, officiating. Friends wishing to remember Joe in a special way may contribute in his memory to Joseph Pechinski Physical Education Scholarship Fund, payable to the University of Maine Foundation, 2 Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469-5792. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.