Dr. John J. Fahey
Bangor-Brewer
John J. Fahey, Ph.D, 84, passed away peacefully October 15, 2016, surrounded by his loved ones, after a period of declining health. He was born March 5, 1932, in Millinocket, son of Edward and Lola (Ellis) Fahey.
John spent his childhood in Brewer and Wiscasset. He attended John Bapst and graduated from Wiscasset Academy in 1950. He then went on to Farmington State Teachers’ College and graduated in 1954. After graduating from Farmington, he served his country in the Counter Intelligence Corps for the US Army overseas. Upon his return, he earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Maine and then his Doctorate from the University of Michigan.
John married Rita Goulette in 1958. He began his teaching/principal career at a one room school in Bradley. He then served as principal at various Bangor schools including: Fourteenth St., Downeast, Fifth St. Middle School and Bangor High School where he spent the majority of his career. He completed his long and widely respected career as an educator, leader and mentor to so many, at Hilltop School in Bangor. His other educational related activities included teaching in the University of Maine system and serving as interim Superintendent of Schools in Bangor.
John was a member of St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
Doc enjoyed the outdoors and hunting and fishing, particularly at “Camp Finally” with family and friends. He was a supporter of his children and grandchildren’s academic, athletic and theatrical endeavors.
Surviving are his wife Rita Fahey; five children, Jennifer Blake and her husband, Edward and their three children, Lauren, Emily and Katherine; John J. Fahey, Jr. and his wife, Cynthia and their two children, Amanda Wooden and her husband, Benjamin, and Alexandra; Jeffrey Fahey and his wife, Laura and their three children, Jodi and Amy Fahey and Davon Johnson; James Fahey and his wife, Shelley and their two children, James and Scott; and youngest and very special daughter, Jessica Fahey; two sisters, Anna Brewer and Margaret Fahey; several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a sister, Mary Demers and a brother, Robert Fahey.
Relatives and friends are invited to call 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at the Brewer Chapel of Brookings-Smith, 55 South Main St., Brewer. A Funeral Mass will be held 11 am. Wednesday, October 19, 2016, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, followed by a private Rite of Committal at Mt. Pleasant Catholic Cemetery.
The family prefers that those wishing to remember John in a special way make donations to the Dr. John J. Fahey Memorial Scholarship Fund, C/O Bangor School Department, 73 Harlow St., Bangor, ME. 04401.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.