John M. Beale

AUBURN - John M, Beale of Shepley Street,.,Auburn, died of natural causes at his residenceon July 27, 2010, at the age of 96. He was born in Eastport on May 26, 1914, the onlychild of William C. and Eunice (Mower) Beale. He graduated from Shead MemorialHigh School in Eastport in 1930 as the valedictorian of his class. He then graduated fromHebron Academy in 1931 and from Bowdoin College in 1935.Mr. Beale was employed by the then-new Social Security Administration in 1936,working first in the Portland office and then in Bangor. In early 1940 he was appointedas the District Manager of the newly-created Lewiston Social Security district office, aposition which he held until his retirement in 1973.On June 13, 1940 he married the former Evelyn C. Welch of Bangor. The couplewere the parents of four sons, Stephen, James, Thomas and Michael. Mr. and Mrs. Bealeresided in the same house on Shepley Street in Auburn until Mrs. Beale's death on April30,2008, and Mr. Beale continued in that residence until his death.Mr. Beale was active in community affairs. He was a former member of theCentral Maine Medical Center Board of Trustees, and served as chairman and member ofseveral committees of that board in the late 1970's and in the 1980's. In 1974 Mr. Bealewas chairman of the Central Maine General Hospital-St. Mary's Joint Hospital FundCampaign which at the time was deemed one of the largest and most successful capitalfund appeals conducted in this area. For that work he received a special award from theLewiston-Auburn Chamber of Commerce. For many years he was active as a volunteerin the United Way and its predecessor organizations. He served the United Way in anumber of capacities, including that of Campaign Chairman. He also served as itsinterim executive director on one occasion when the United Way was suddenly withoutan executive director. He served several terms as a trustee of the Auburn Public Libraryincluding a term as vice president of the board. He was a long-time member of theBowdoin Club of Androscoggin County, serving as president among other offices.Captain of the swim team while at Bowdoin, Mr. Beale continued his interest incompetitive swimming after graduation and served as coach of the Edward Little HighSchool swim team from 1944 to 1962, although he was never a member of the EdwardLittle High School teaching faculty.In his retirement years Mr. Beale enjoyed a variety of outdoor activities, includingvegetable gardening, working in his woodlot and at Prince Farm Orchard in Turner.Mr. Beale is survived by three sons; Stephen P. Beale and his wife, LaurieGibson, of Durham; Thomas J. Beale and his wife, Jean, of Bangor; and Michael J. Bealeand his wife, Kate, of Holden; five grandchildren, Andrea, Martin, David, Moira andJonathan Beale; two great-grandchildren, Alexander Beale and Arnica Beale. He waspredeceased by his wife Evelyn in 2008 and by a son, James W. Beale, in 1994. A Mass of Christian Burial honoring John's life will be celebrated SATURDAY 10:00AM at St. Philip's Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish. Graveside committal prayers to follow at Mt. Auburn Cemetery.Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at www.lynchbrothers.com Family and friends are invited to visit Friday 4-7PM at DILLINGHAM & SON MEMORIAL CHAPEL & TRIBUTE CENTER 62 Spring St., Auburn, 784-6449