Joel Webb Eastman

Joel W. Eastman, 85, of Portland, passed away peacefully on February 16 at Scarborough Terrace. He was born on March 11, 1939 in Bridgton, Maine to Brooks and Frances Eastman. Joel grew up in Bar Harbor, Fryeburg, Mt. Desert Island, Portland and Buxton where he graduated from Samuel D. Hansen High School in 1957. He advanced to earn his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maine, a Master’s Degree in History from the University of Southern Maine, and PhD in US History from the University of Florida. He went on to pursue one of the noblest professions; educator.

In 1962, Joel taught English at Queensbury High School in Glens Falls, N.Y. followed by history at Appalachian State University in North Carolina during his Ph.D. coursework. In 1970, he became an Assistant Professor and later a Professor of History at USM. He served five years as chairman of the Department of History, consulted on a number of public and private historical projects, and lectured widely to historical and civic groups. He served as trustee and vice president of the Maine Historical Society and Greater Portland Landmarks.

Joel was a dedicated Portland historian. His interest in the history of the coast defenses of modern Maine was first sparked when he was appointed to a committee to evaluate Battery Steele, a 16-inch World War II gun battery on Peaks Island. His research led to a series of public lectures, walking tours, articles, and an hour-long television documentary. He became a champion for the preservation of these landmarks consulting with public owners of several historical military sites, including Fort Preble, Fort Williams, Jewell Island, and Two Lights. He is the author, co-author, and editor of six books, thirty-one articles, eight reports, nine papers, nineteen book reviews, and six successful grant proposals.

In his private life, Joel was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He married Linda Bolton in 1962 traveling up and down the east coast together until they settled in Portland in 1970 prior to his second son's birth and lived there ever since.

Joel’s generous spirit shone through in all aspects of his life, always willing to help and share his talents with others. He was affable and fascinated by people, ever ready with kind words, questions, and conversation for everyone in his surroundings. He enjoyed traveling and learning about others. The summer of 1989, he and his family went to England for a month in a house swap where he was able to visit historic English landmarks, look for his family roots and meet new people along the way.

He loved to work with his hands, building his shed/ rabbit hutch and the sizable addition to his family home in Portland. Throughout the years, he was the family’s reliable handyman - no task was too daunting for Joel Eastman. He enjoyed watching his children in plays and sporting events. He later enjoyed watching and cheering on his grandchildren as well.

He is predeceased by his parents, Brooks and Frances Eastman

He is survived by his wife, Linda Eastman, son Michael Eastman of Portland, son Jason (Susan) Eastman of Thousand Oaks, CA, daughter Melanie (Adam) Cogan of Scarborough and his grandchildren, Mackenzie and Jordan Eastman and Zoe and Blue Cogan; his siblings Kim (Patty) Eastman of Standish, Sherry (David) Redlon of Buxton, Mark (Cille) Eastman of Limington and Quentin Eastman of Glastonbury, CT as well as many nieces and nephews.