KENNEBUNK — John Libbey Hewes Sr., 91, of Kennebunk and formerly of Waterboro and Saco, passed away on May 2, 2014 in Kennebunk.
He was born on Sept. 15, 1922 in Biddeford, a son of Clyfton and Frances (Libbey) Hewes.
He graduated from Thornton Academy, Class of 1941.
In the fall of 1941, John enrolled at the University of Maine at Orono. His education was interrupted in June of 1943, and he enlisted in the United States Army. During World War II, he served with the 4th armored division in France and fought at the Battle of the Bulge and received two battle stars for the European Theatre. John returned to Maine in the spring of 1946 and returned to UMO. He graduated with a degree in business administration in 1948 and was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
In January of 1949, he started his business career in the property and casualty insurance with Phoenix Insurance Company in Hartford, Conn.
John married the love of his life, Virginia Pennell, on Aug. 30, 1950. They lived in Hartford, then moved to Newark, N.J., and in 1951, moved back to Maine.
John joined his father-in-law’s firm, E.C. Jones & Company, on Jan. 1, 1954, as treasurer and vice president. In 1965, they merged with the John C. Paige Company, becoming the James and Company. In 1980, John went to work at Mutual Fire Insurance of Saco as vice president of marketing, retiring in 1988.
John was a very active member of the Portland community. He was a member of State Street Congregational Church, a member of the Cumberland Club, the Woodfords Club, the Rotary Club and also the YMCA. He served as president of the Cerebral Palsy Center and also on the budget committee of the United Way.
While living in Saco, he was a deacon at First Parish Congregational Church. He also served on the board trustees of Thornton Academy, The Wardwell and Dyer Library. John also served as president of the Maine Insurance Companies Association, the cemetery board of Laurel Hill, and he was the director and chairman of Saco & Biddeford Savings Institution. He was a member of Owen Davis Post 96 American Legion of Saco, a member of the Waterboro Historical Society and the Ossipee Lake Association. He also was a member of the American Forestry Association and the Maine & New Hampshire Tree Farm Association.
John enjoyed his life and his home in Waterboro. He liked cutting wood for fires, tending his gardens and sailing on the lake, and playing cribbage and tennis. Most of all, he loved to spend time with his family.
He was preceded in death by: his wife, Virginia Pennell Hewes; and his sister, Ann Hewes Foden.
He is survived by: his children, John L. Hewes Jr. of North Carolina, Christine Williams of Bucksport, Elizabeth Hewes of Scarborough, Katherine Wooten of East Waterboro and Robert P. Hewes of Massachusetts.
John also leaves behind: his brother, Richard D. Hewes of Cape Elizabeth; nine grandchildren; six-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the First Parish Congregational Church in Saco on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 1 p.m. Arrangements are by Cote Funeral Home, Saco. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in John’s name to Thornton Academy, 438 Main St., Saco, ME 04072; or to Maine Center for Deafness, 68 Bishop St., Portland, ME 04103. To sign the guestbook or to send a condolence to the family, visit www.cotefuneralhome.com.
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