YARMOUTH – John “Jack” Richardson Biscoe, 73, passed away peacefully Nov. 20, 2009, after a prolonged illness at Hospice House, Auburn. Jack was born Aug. 10, 1936, in Boston, to Professor Jonathan and Martha (Richardson) Biscoe. Educated in the schools of Nyack, N.Y., Amherst, Mass., and Orono, he graduated from Orono High School in 1953. While at Orono High he started at left guard on the State Championship football team of 1952 and earned a place on the All State team. After high school, he attended the University of Maine and graduated in 1957 with a degree in zoology. He was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. Later he earned a master’s degree in education from Colby College. For six years, he served his country as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. He married Carlyn Smith of Portland, June 20, 1959. Jack enjoyed a long successful career in education as principal of the Maine high schools in Harrington, Strong and Turner. He retired from Leavitt Area High, Turner, in 1987. After retirement, he enjoyed making and selling furniture and craft items and eventually became involved in the antiques business. Along with his wife, he journeyed many times to England for business and pleasure. Summer activities during these years included a clambake enterprise in and around South Bristol. As a zoology major with a particular interest in fisheries, Jack worked for two summers for the state of Maine and also in Alaska on a salmon tagging boat. Loving Alaska, he volunteered twice to return and assist in the oil cleanup after the wreck of the tanker, Exxon Valdez. He also became very active with Sierra Club and Alaska Wilderness League. Jack was predeceased by his daughter, Laura, in 2007; and his wife, Carlyn, in 2008. He is survived by his twin brother, Mark Biscoe and wife, Jane, of Brunswick; his sister, Mary Biscoe, of Raleigh, N.C.; and a large and loving extended family. And he will be remembered with fondness by many, many friends, some of whom 56 years ago in his Orono High School yearbook described him for life “His friends there are many; his foes – are there any?” The family is so very appreciative of the encouraging cards sent to Jack during his illness by these old, dear friends. The family also especially thanks Jack’s wonderful friends, Elaine Chenard and Mary Smith, as well as his loving and loyal caregivers who came to his home for more than a year, Maxine Whitehouse, Chris Darche, Janice Lambert, Cathy McKinnon and Maria Vance – we will never forget you. A special thanks is also extended to the caring staff at Hospice House of Androscoggin. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Dillingham & Son Memorial Chapel and Tribute Center, Auburn. Gifts in Jack’s name may be made to Leavitt Trustees Scholarship Fund, 21 Matthews Way, Turner, ME 04282; Alaska Wilderness League 122 C St., NW, Washington, DC 20001; or Bates College, Lewiston, ME 04240.
JOHN RICHARDSON BISCOE
