Earl Martin Tibbetts

PORTLAND - Earl Martin Tibbetts, Educator, Camp Director and Antiquarian, 84 of Portland died on Friday May 20, 2011 at his home. Born in Montville, Maine on April 3, 1927, a son of Wesley V. Tibbetts and Emily (Pratt) Tibbetts, he attended schools in Montvillle and Liberty. After graduating from Walker Memorial High School, Mr. Tibbetts completed a course of study in Army Specialized Training at the University of Maine and Norwich University. He then enlisted in the Infantry Replacement Training Center program at Camp Blanding Fla. He was honorably discharged from the Army on Dec. 31, 1946. Mr. Tibbetts graduated from the University of Maine receiving a Bachelors degree and later received a Masters degree from the Gorham State Teachers College.

He accepted a teaching position in Jonesport, Maine and in 1955 was recruited for a teaching position in Calais. In 1957, he became Principle at Calais High School. Several class trips to Washington D.C. were made and Mr. Tibbetts often recalled the generosity of Senator Margaret Chase Smith who in one letter to Mr. Tibbetts commented “I have thought of your fine looking group many times since their visit to my office. They were so alert, bright and clean cut. I was extremely proud of them and that they were from Maine. Surely we have nothing to fear as far as the future is concerned when we have such fine young people”. Mr. Tibbetts was invited back to Calais by one of the graduating classes who insisted he speak at the reunion. That sunny August day also involved many laughs while riding on a float in the parade with his daughter and former students around town and across the bridge to Canada.

Mr. Tibbetts spent nearly 25 summers in the position of Camp Director at Camp Spaulding in Penacook New Hampshire. It was there he met his future wife Nancy (Newman) Tibbetts who was pursing a summer job as camp counselor as part of her Social Work curriculum. Earl and Nancy married in Swampscott, Ma. during a blizzard in 1958 and honeymooned in New York City. In later years, Mr. Tibbetts was amused that their honeymoon included a brief elevator encounter with Fidel Castro in the Empire State Building.

Mr. and Mrs. Tibbetts resided in Calais prior to moving to Portland in 1960. He taught at Jack Jr. High School in Portland for nearly 20 years before finishing his teaching career at Lincoln Jr. High on Stevens Ave. During his teaching career, he coached track, chess and model clubs. He had many rich stories regarding scorekeeping basketball games on Beal’s Island.

Just two weeks ago, Mr. Tibbetts and his son in law opened up the family cottage on Lake St. George in Liberty with Mr. Tibbetts commenting that it was his 61st year doing so. Time spent at the cottage was very special to Mr. Tibbetts. He particularly enjoyed having Jim, Lynne and Alison Mooney as well as the crew from Maryland as neighbors. Many a tale was told around campfires and attempting to remove beaver dams from the nearby culvert became a group activity.

At one point after his retirement he had the opportunity to spend four hours a day fishing every day and became the self proclaimed “fisherman of the lake”, a title he truly deserved. Mr. Tibbetts was past treasurer for the Portland Maine Federal Teachers Credit Union and the Pine Tree Post Card Club. He was a current member of the Quantabacook Lodge AF & AM # 129 in Searsmont. He was active in several other organizations and once appeared on a “Bill Green’s Maine” segment.

Predeceased by his loving wife, Nancy (Newman) Tibbetts.

Surviving are his daughter Susan (Tibbetts) Kezal and her husband Steven of Gorham; a brother, Dr. John Tibbetts of San Leandro, California; two nieces, two nephews along with several cousins and his beloved Maine Coon Cat.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a time of visitation Wednesday, May 25, 2011 from 4-7 p.m. at Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home 199 Woodford St. Funeral Service will be held Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 11 am at the funeral home. Private Interment service will take place at a later date.

Donations in Earl’s memory may be made to Camp Sunshine, 35 Acadia Rd. Casco, ME 04015, the Animal Refuge League attn: Gayle Dunnigan PO Box 336 Westbrook, ME 04098 or a charity of your choice.

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