James E. Footer Jr., 78, of Bath, died Oct. 17 at his home, following a short battle with cancer with his loving family at his side.
He was born in Bath on April 5, 1930, a son of James E. Sr. and Marie E. Perry Footer. He was educated in the Bath schools and graduated from Morse High School, class president, in 1948.
He married Betty L. Genthner on Jan. 13, 1951 at St. Mary’s Church in Bath.
He worked for Bath Iron Works as an engineering draftsman from 1951 to 1965 and as a material control specialist from 1973 until his retirement in 1995.
He was a sales representative for Carl Fisher of Boston, one of the largest music stores in the country from 1965 to 1973. He sold instruments and music, did public relations and consulting on music program development for Maine schools.
Following retirement he enjoyed caring for his lawn and weekly pizza lunches with friends.
He was co-founder, host, president, and woodwind auctioneer for the Seacoast Concert Festival.
He was a gifted, self-taught musician who could play all woodwind instruments and had a life-long, far-reaching musical career as a director, performer, and teacher. In 1961 he helped form the Bath Municipal Band and served as Managing Director and Conductor until 1998, Director of the Dunlop Commandry Escort Band in Bath from 1954 to 1958, and Director of the Bath Lodge of Elks Band from 1958 to 1960.
He was guest director of the Napean Band of Ottawa, Canada; U.S. Navy Band, Washington, DC, U.S. Army Field Service Band, Washington, DC, Portland Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Maine Concert Band.
He played with various dance bands and stage show orchestras throughout Maine. His last dance band was the 18 piece dance band The Ambassadors from the Bath Senior Citizens.
He was Supervisor of Instrumental Music for SAD 74, Supervisor of Instrumental Music, Band, and Chorus at Lincoln Academy in Newcastle, Private Instrument Teacher for Bath School System from 1951 to 1969, Instrumental Instructor for grades 5 and 6 in Bath from 1972 to 1973, and substitute Band Director for Morse High School for three years.
He received the Maine Broadcasting System Jefferson Award for Recognition of Extraordinary Public Service, 1996-1997.
He is predeceased by his wife of 55 years, who died Jan. 20, 2006.
He is survived by a daughter, Susan F. and husband Jerel Elwell of Damariscotta; three sons, Michael J. and wife Mary Footer of Bath, Stephen R. Footer and partner Joan Cunningham of Bath, and Jeffrey W. and wife Roxanne Footer of Woolwich; brother-in-law, Dennis and wife Susanne Genthner of New Harbor; sister-in-law, Carol and husband Christopher Marco of Bath; six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours 2-4, 6-8 p.m., Wed., Oct. 22 at David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, 638 High St., Bath. A Mass of Christian burial 1 p.m., Thurs., Oct. 23 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 144 Lincoln St., Bath. Burial will take place at a later date at Oak Grove Cemetery, Bath.
Memorial donations may be made to the James E. Footer Jr. Music Award Fund, Bath Savings Institution, 105 Front St., Bath, ME 04530.
Arrangements are by David E. Desmond & Son Funeral Home, 638 High St., Bath.