James John Dobson

LEWISTON- James John “Jim” Dobson of Buckfield died Monday, September 15, 2025, at Woodlands Memory Care of Lewiston at age 78. Jim was born in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, on November 8, 1946, the son of George R. and Perina R. “Rita” Dobson (Casagrande). He grew up in the neighboring city of Leominster.

Jim attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, studying chemistry and English literature. Following his graduation in 1968, Jim joined the U.S. Peace Corps, learned Arabic, and went to work in Tripoli, Libya, as a teacher of English. He was in Libya until the following year when the Peace Corps was forced to withdraw due to the Libyan revolution. Jim then became a teacher at Hampshire Country School in Rindge, New Hampshire. While teaching at the school, Jim met the love of his life, Maida DeMers. They married in 1971 and moved to Sumner, Maine before settling in Buckfield. Jim taught for Pathways, Inc. in Auburn, before starting his long career teaching at Lewiston Middle School. He retired in 2008.

Jim loved traveling, cooking, cross-country skiing, and was a talented gardener. Each year, he turned the many fruitful products of his large garden into delicious food with which he fed his family. Jim was especially fond of Italian cooking and baking and during the holidays, he would always fill his home with the smells and tastes of many kinds of Italian cookies and breads. He maintained an interest in Arabic and the Middle East, traveling in later years to Morocco. He had numerous hobbies from rock collecting to playing the guitar, and he joyfully devoted his weekends and summers to exploring the wilderness of Western Maine with family. Following his retirement, he continued working the land and raising a bevy of animals including sheep, goats, and birds.

He is predeceased by his parents and his siblings, George Robert Dobson and Kathy M. Cefalo. He is survived by Maida DeMers-Dobson, his beloved wife of fifty-four years; his daughter Emily Dobson; son James E. Dobson; and daughter-in-law Rena J. Mosteirin.

The family will receive friends and family on Tuesday, September 30th, from 4-7 pm at Fortin & Pinette Group at 217 Turner St in Auburn. The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, October 1st at 11:00 am at St. Philip Church in Auburn. Arrangements by The Fortin & Pinette Group, 217 Turner Street in Auburn, 783-8545. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.fortinpinettegroupauburn.com.