BRUNSWICK — John Paul Bibber of Brunswick, age 88, died Monday, March 16, 2015, at a local hospital. He was born in Lewiston, Maine, on Oct. 12, 1926, the only child of John Bartlett Bibber and Lucy Woodbury Harris Bibber. He spent his childhood in Auburn, Maine, graduating from Edward Little High School in 1944. He was drafted into the Army in December 1944. After finishing infantry basic training he was sent by the Army to New York University to study engineering. He was discharged in 1946 after completing 19 months of service.

He graduated from the University of Maine in 1948 with a B.S. in civil engineering. In 1956, the University of Maine awarded him an M.A. in public administration.

His working career centered on Maine local government administration. College studies included experience gained from internship positions in Auburn and Presque Isle. His professional career included serving as town or city manager in Islesboro, Berwick, Old Town, and Brunswick. He held the latter post for 28 years retiring in 1989, but later became interim manager of Lisbon for several months. While serving Brunswick, he was most gratified when Bowdoin College awarded him the Honorary Degree of Civil Law in 1981 for helping foster goodwill between town and gown.

He was widely active in both professional and community organizations, including Maine Town and City Management Association (president), Maine

Municipal Association (president), the

International City

Management Association (vice-president), Brunswick

Rotary Club (president), Brunswick

Area Chamber of

Commerce (Valued

Member Award),

Regional Memorial Hospital trustee, United Way of Midcoast Maine, the Bath-Brunswick-Topsham Military Community Council (the Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain Award), and Maine State Retirement System trustee.

John married his high school classmate Betty McFadden in 1950 who provided much needed support during their long life together. He is survived by three wonderful daughters, Alison Berry and husband David, Bowdoinham, Paula Tefft and husband Dennis, Brunswick, and Meredith Bibber and husband Chris Goss, Seattle, Wash. He is also survived by four accomplished grandchildren, Nathan Tefft and wife Rachel, Alicia Tefft, Matthew Goss, and Louisa Goss, and two step-grandchildren, Seth and Eli Berry. In addition, he was delighted to have the chance to spend time with his three wonderful great-grandchildren, Molly, Isla, and Samuel Tefft.

For many years John volunteered for the Baxter State Park Authority on the Park Advisory and Investment Committees. He loved Baxter State Park, and first summited Mt. Katahdin with friends after his military service. He introduced his daughters and many others to Baxter State Park, and a few years back he climbed Mt. Katahdin for the last time, 50 years after his first summit.

John volunteered for several years at the Curtis Memorial Library and at the Maine Maritime Museum. He was also active in retirement offering support to younger managers under a program sponsored jointly by the International City Management Association and the Maine Town and City Management Association. John and Betty enjoyed many Elderhostel programs including bicycling trips in Europe. They both participated in tennis matches with friends, John specializing in doubles competition as he grew older. In recent years he especially enjoyed his breakfast and coffee outings with friends. John thoroughly enjoyed his life in Brunswick.

Family and friends can visit 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2015, at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St. Memorial contributions can be made to the John Bibber Scholar Fund at 85 Union St., Brunswick, ME 04011 or to Curtis Memorial Library, 23 Pleasant St., Brunswick, ME 04011.

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