BANGOR and MACHIAS – Joseph Franklin McBrine, 78, died April 16, 2011, at his home, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born Nov. 24, 1932, in Haynesville, son of Judson McBrine and Dorothy (Bedell) McBrine.
Joe graduated from Houlton High School in 1950. He received his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Maine, Orono. He also completed two years of doctoral study at Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he received a CAGS degree. Joe dedicated his life to the education of young people in Maine. He began his career as teacher, coach, principal and superintendent in 1953, and continued until his retirement in 2004. He spent the last seven years farming in Bangor, where he and his wife raised beef cattle.
He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Marie (King) McBrine; and his five children, Mark McBrine and his wife, Linda, Lauren Sprague and her husband, Christopher, Judson McBrine and his wife, Paula, Joseph McBrine Jr. and his wife, Lori, and Jonathan McBrine and his wife, Becky. He is also survived by his 16 grandchildren, Andrew, Stephen, Micah, Rebecca, Sarah, Rachel and Leah McBrine, Hannah and Lydia Sprague, Jacob and Landon McBrine, Vincent and his wife, Amanda Emery, and Olivia McBrine, Daniel, Matthew and Joshua McBrine; three sisters, Clarice Irish and husband, Raymond, Judith Oliver and husband, Donald, and Mary Jane Chick; several nieces and nephews. Joe was predeceased by a brother, Judson Jr.; a sister, Winnifred; many aunts, uncles and cousins.
The funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor, after the service. A memorial service will also be held 2 p.m. April 23 at Washington Academy, East Machias. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments after the services at Washington Academy. A private family burial will take place at a later date. Those who wish to remember Joe in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Building Fund at Bible Baptist Church, P.O. Box 228, Orono, ME 04476 or Washington Academy Capital Campaign Fund, 66 Cutler Road, P.O. Box 190, East Machias, ME 04630. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.