James Michael Sproul, 54, of Boothbay, passed away April 25 at his home.
“Mike,” born Nov. 13, 1957 in Boothbay Harbor, the son of Carroll “Jim” and Christine Dickinson Sproul, graduated from Rutherford High School in Panama City, Fla. He went on to graduate from VocTec School in Chipley, Fla. where he earned his Chauffeur’s License – a fancy term for tractor trailer driver – which he enjoyed until he enlisted in the Air Force.
Mike served as an Air Propulsions Systems Technician (his clever way of saying he was a jet aircraft engine mechanic). After his discharge, he served in the Air National Guard. He moved from base to base, finding his way closer to Maine each time: F-15 Fighter Wing, Louisiana; C-130 Hercules, Rome, New York; A-10 Thunderbolt fighter jets, Connecticut; and C-5 Galaxy carriers, Westover AFB, Massachusetts. He had been promoted to a supervisor and retired as a Master Sergeant. As he moved closer and closer back to his Maine roots, Mike trained as a quality inspection specialist and worked at Saco Defense and Yankee Machine inspecting machine guns for many years, allowing him to move back to Boothbay. His desire to work close to home to raise a family and develop the farm landed him yet a new career as a carrier with the U.S. Postal Service, which he loved until an injury forced his retirement.
The Sproul Farm was his world. Not only did he and Mary raise their children on the farm, but along with his dad, they also raised chickens, turkeys, cows, and pigs, and sold eggs and vegetables from their large garden. They also tried their hands with ponies, ducks, and a donkey (for a short time). The Boothbay community also has fond memories of the Sproul Farm where many birthday parties, class field trips, church picnics, pig-roasts, and even a wedding reception for a friend was held. Mike was very proud of his well-groomed farm.
In his younger years, Mike was active in sports and loved to play on the local softball league. In his later years, he developed his interest in hunting and was training his two German wirehair pointers, Jenny and Weston.
Survivors include his mother, Chris Sproul; children, Adam Sproul and Erica Sproul, and former wife, Mary Batakis, all of Boothbay; and sister, Jackie Sproul, of Melbourne, Fla.
An informal time of remembrance with the family, open to all, will be held 3-6 p.m., Sat., May 12 at McSeagull’s in Boothbay Harbor. A committal service will be held on Sat., Nov. 3 at Hillside Cemetery. Further details will be announced this fall.
You are invited to share your condolences, photos and tributes with the family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the Boothbay Fire Department, PO Box 304, Boothbay, ME 04537.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Rd., Boothbay.
