John Raymond Bicherl

John Raymond Bicherl, 70, Portland, Maine. Died peacefully November 10, 2025 from cardiopulmonary failure. Born in Buffalo, NY, only child of Raymond J. Bicherl and Margaret A. Gabbey. Husband of 46 years to Laura Marion (Schultz) Bicherl, father to John James Bicherl (wife Elizabeth Thelma (Jones) Bicherl) of Buxton, Maine, and grandfather to Alexander Raymond Bicherl, age 10.

John married (1979) his soulmate Laura (a bride of 17), and together they set off on the adventure of life. During John’s four years of Coast Guard service, he was on the small boat search and rescue team, kept a lighthouse for a short while, then served on the cutter Cape Morgan, where he excelled at most things he attempted. He earned the designations of expert marksman, onboard EMT, underway OOD, and he captained the inflatable Avon that was lowered into seas during rescue missions. There were several very daring rescues at sea. All John’s sea stories were genuine.

John had a brilliant mind, but not the temperament for a traditional career. Following the Coast Guard, he completed the college education he had started several times before enlisting. He tested various lines of work, from gourmet cookware salesman to full-time fathering an infant when his son John was born. He held many different uninspiring jobs to fill the gaps, but also became a sensational self-taught cook and developed a love for jazz and classical music, which rounded out his earlier music-loving years in the 1970’s, when he was in well-placed rows at memorable concerts by the Rolling Stones, Lez Zeppelin, Santana and the like.

At 45 John was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and his life was redefined. Years of intensive treatments left their damage, but sharpened his compassion. Once he was back on his feet, John worked in several of the homeless shelter programs at Preble Street in Portland for as long as he was able. He found this work to be very meaningful and fulfilling.

John died from the complications of his extensive cancer treatments, but did not waste a moment of the gift of 25 added years of life. Right until his last day, he had an impish gleam in his eye and maintained his lovely dry sense of humor. He will be sorely missed by every person he touched.

Friends and family are invited to a time of visitation on Tuesday November 18th from 3 PM to 6 PM followed by United States Coast Guard Honors beginning at 6 PM at Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home 199 Woodford Street Portland, Maine 04103.

Please visit www.jonesrichandbarnes.com to leave condolences for the Bicherl family and share a memory of John.