EAST MACHIAS – John Stoneham, librarian emeritus, Maryland Institute, College of Art, died of natural causes Jan. 11, 2010, at Down East Community Hospital, Machias. He leaves behind his wife, Sheila (O’Connor) Stoneham of East Machias; his stepchildren, Polly Humphreys of Venice, Calif., Jenny Humphreys of Truro, Mass., Sally Humphreys of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Tom Humphreys and his wife, Cheryl, of Seattle and their children, Clara Jill and August. John was the only son of Donald and Lilly (Mills) Stoneham. His father, Donald, was a member of XXIII Hussars and served in India and, later, in the Great War in France. When he mustered out, he came home and became a police constable. John always said that he believed his father had joined up with the Hussars because they had the most splendid uniforms. John had three sisters. Of these, only Pamela Stoneham and Olive Morgan of the United Kingdom, are still with us. His sister, Vera, died Nov. 18, 2000. It’s a blessing to have been brought up with sisters; it makes for a much better man. And he was certainly that. He hadn’t a mean bone in his body. Moreover, he was genuinely surprised when friends or non-friends attacked his views, whether in writing or orally. But, he never let such things go unanswered, either on the page or face-to-face. Much to their surprise, persons who chose to spar with him publicly soon found themselves to be fools or knaves. But, typically, with John, all was soon forgiven. John was a graduate of the University of London, with a degree in library science. Later, he continued his studies at the University of Wisconsin. He came to the U.S. in the early ’60s under a program in which a librarian in the states would swap a year’s stay with a counterpart in the United Kingdom. He was assigned to The Enoch Pratt Free Public Library, Baltimore, a venerable institution. He was smitten with the U.S., going so far as to travel by bus throughout most of the states. Mind you, this was a very volatile time in U.S. politics, what with Joe McCarthy, HUAC, etc. – and don’t forget Margaret Chase Smith’s manifesto. However, John was convinced that he wanted to become an American citizen, which he did in 1963. Actually, his knowledge of American history was better than that of most native-born Americans. After his years with The Enoch Pratt, he was offered the job of chief librarian at the Maryland Institute, College of Art. He jumped at the opportunity. At that time, 1966, the library collection comprised 4000 items, including boxed numbers of The National Geographic. The only guidance he got from the then president of the institute was “do what you want.” So he did. He built a magnificent collection; one of the best in any art school library in the U.S. He once said that he decided that he would try to build a collection that would be the envy of any well-educated gentleman. In that, he succeeded. He took great joy in reading The New York Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly and other sources to see what he might purchase for the library. In addition, his relationships with rare book dealers, which he cultivated over the years, was a source of great satisfaction to him. John was well liked by faculty, staff and students. Once, when he was alerted by one of his staff of some hanky-panky going on in the stacks, he went to inspect and, indeed, when he encountered the goings-on to be licentious, he tossed a blanket on the offending lovers and remarked, “Please don’t scare the horses.” End of liaison. Those were the days of poetry readings galore. John and his friend, Dick Ireland, a painter and teacher at the institute formed The Worse Verse Conspiracy, wherein they recited some of the worst verses ever penned – there are lots of them. Actually, that is funny because John loved poetry, and would happily recite at the drop of a hat, even if no one asked him to. From Chaucer to Walt Kelly “I was eatin’ some chop suey with a lady from St. Louie, when there sudden came a knockin’ at the door.” Almost sounds like Kipling – if you try. Remember his Backroom Ballads? Many people were astonished when they heard that stentorian voice issue from such a small, skinny guy. He was one of a kind. Good on you, Boy-o. You did it all…and well. We love you. There will be no services, celebrations, or other foolishness per John’s request. Go read a poem or two. Direct cremation was provided by McClure Family Funeral Services, Machias. www.mcclurefamilyfuneral.com
JOHN STONEHAM
