Frederick Talbot Jeffery Jr.

Portland- Frederick Talbot Jeffery Jr., 97, of Portland, died on Sunday, December 20, 2015, at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was born on April 27, 1918 in the city of Portland. Moved to South Portland at the age of 4 where he attended the South Portland schools until graduating from South Portland High School in 1936. While at South Portland High School he ran track all four years of high school. In the late 1930s, he was a member of the 19th Division Naval Reserve. In 1938, he enrolled at the Gorham Normal School (now University of Southern Maine) and graduated in 1942 with a B.S. degree. While at the Gorham Normal School, he was a member of the cross-country and track teams and became a captain in his last year. He was also president of the Alpha Beta Lambda fraternity and treasurer of the Glee Club.

Following graduation, he went into the Marine Corps and was assigned to the 3rd Amphibious Corps where he fought in battles for Bougainville, Guam, and Okinawa. He was then sent to Tientsin, China to participate in the Japanese surrender in North China. For his service, he received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with three gold stars, Navy Commendation Ribbon, China Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and Victory Medal.

Following the war he took a job in September 1946 teaching at North Elementary School in Portland. He remained there for 27 years rising to the position of principal. In that time he also became area principal of North and Woolson schools and eventually of the Lyseth and Peary Schools. He left an indelible mark on the students, staff, and parents he met throughout his years in the Portland Public Schools. He was dedicated to education and instilling good citizenship, respect for knowledge, and fine moral precepts in his students.

In the late 1950s he taught science classes on television for the Maine Public Television network. He also taught evening American classes to immigrants at Portland High School, summer math classes at Deering High School, and was the Education Director for Project Headstart in Portland 1967-1969. He attended graduate school at Boston University where he received a Masters degree in Education. He also received graduate credit from Montana State University, Harvard University, Tufts University, University of Maine at Portland, and University of Maine at Gorham.

He belonged to the following organizations: Stewart P. Morrell Post 35 American Legion where he was Post Commander and Post Adjutant, Member of Portland Lodge of Elks 188, and the Woodfords Club. He was active in the bowling league at the Woodfords Club and the senior citizens bowling league at Big Twenty Bowling Lanes.

He enjoyed building model aircrafts, going to Marine Corps reunions, spending summers with his family at his camp on Highland Lake (Windham), traveling both in the U.S. and overseas, and collecting books and videos on World War II. He enjoyed his family and grandchildren.

He was a certified national and state track official. He officiated meets at the Portland Exposition building as well as at state and regional state meets for over 56 years. His achievements in officiating culminated in having the open mile champion’s trophy named after him, the Frederick T. Jeffery Jr. Trophy, at the Southwestern Maine Track Championships.

He is predeceased by his wife of 62 years Barbara Ellen Kane Jeffery; and his brothers Harry and Harlan.

Survivors include his eight beloved children; three daughters, Barbara McHarg and her husband Don of Topsham, Ann Marie Jeffery-Corbett and her husband Don of Old Orchard Beach, Mary Verville and her husband Michael of Portland, five sons, Frederick M. Jeffery of Portland, Brian Jeffery and his wife Dorris of Oklahoma City, Okla., Peter Jeffery of Portland, Paul Jeffery of Portland, Stephen Jeffery and his wife Helen of Windham; a sister, Della Knezienski of Vacaville, Ca.; 11 grandchildren, Shannon McHarg of Brunswick, Laura McHarg and her husband Ryan of Reno, Nev., Patrick, Anthony, and Micary Verville, all of Portland, Christopher and Berlian Jeffery of Oklahoma City, Okla., Brendan and his wife Kristin of Standish, Sean, Kateri and Beau Jeffery of Windham; three great-grandchildren, Julian McHarg-Goepner of Reno, Nev., Evelyn and Caraline Hanscom of Brunswick; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends and family are invited to a time of visitation from 4-7 pm on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at Jones Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St. Portland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Wednesday, December 23rd, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress St. Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Frederick’s guest book