Early in the morning of March 25, 2025, John L. Gatcombe left us on the ebbing tide after a period of declining health. He died peacefully at home with family by his side.
John was born on April 11, 1935 in Rockland, to Fred Crawford and Ella J. Gatcombe (McFarland). He grew up in Owls Head, spending his summers sailing and at the family homestead in New Harbor. John attended MCI and then graduated from Rockland High School and went on to college at Gorham State Teacher’s College (USM) where he graduated with an industrial arts education degree. He later received a master’s degree in education from the University of Maine (UMO).
In 1957 John moved to Lincoln to start his teaching career at Mattanawcook Academy. It’s here that he started the ski patrol and teaching First Aid (which he would later continue at the Camden Snow Bowl), as well as became a patrolman for the Lincoln Police Department. In 1959 John married Genevieve Weatherbee (Libby) and gained three daughters. Later they would grow their family and add two sons.
In 1967 John and his family moved to Waldoboro. He started teaching automotive and industrial arts at Waldoboro High School and then Medomak Valley High School; a career that would span the next 30 years as department head. John coached the ski team and was responsible for parking lot duty; a job he took very seriously.
John was a passionate teacher and being able to have a positive impact on a child, while teaching them skills that they could use later in life, was very important to him.
John’s devotion to the town of Waldoboro spanned well beyond the classroom. In 1969 John saw a need and started the Waldoboro Ambulance Service, keeping the ambulance in his garage and taking calls in his home until a facility was built. John was a firefighter, Waldoboro police officer, Lincoln and Knox County deputy sheriff, town code enforcement officer, selectman, and member of the shellfish committee.
John’s commitment to the care and safety of the citizens of Waldoboro was unwavering throughout the rest of his life. The 2009/2010 annual town report was dedicated to John, and he was the marshal in the Waldoboro Day Parade one year.
In 1984, John married Joanne Trembley (Demchak) and gained two more daughters. John would continue to teach until the last of his children graduated from high school. During retirement he still held many jobs: substitute teacher, groundskeeper, lawn care, Knox County bailiff, and personal caretaker. John could often be seen sitting on the front porch, waving to the clammers as they were coming and going, or at Moody’s with the Thursday group.
John loved the Medomak River and the Atlantic Ocean. He was responsible for obtaining a grant for the ramp and float at the town landing. John loved fishing, duck hunting, decoy carving, and riding his Honda Gold Wing. John was profoundly proud of his seven children and all they have accomplished.
John is survived by his wife, Joanne L. Gatcombe, of Waldoboro; daughters, Vicki Vadas (Mike), of New Harbor, Robin Babino (Jeff), of Falmouth, Libbie Winslow (John), of Waldoboro, Nicole Wilson (Vince), of Kingsport, Tenn., and Cindy Joseph (Tom), of Morrill; sons, Robert Gatcombe (Charity), of Hubert, N.C. and John W. Gatcombe (Stephanie), of Waldoboro; 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
John’s generosity, kindness, and good nature will be sorely missed by his family and all that had the pleasure to know him. Together with his wife, they looked in on their neighbors, provided meals for others, and spent countless hours volunteering their time or services. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you volunteer, give to a person in need, or donate to the Medomak Valley Memorial Scholarship in John’s name.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To share a condolence or memory with the Gatcombe family, visit John’s book of memories at hallfuneralhomes.com.
