Dr. John F. Gaddis ’69

Dr. John F. Gaddis, 77, died at his home in the Jacksonville District of East Machias on September 23, 2024. John was born December 15, 1946, in East Machias, the third child of J. Francis and Nell (Hanscom) Gaddis.

Dr. Gaddis was a proud alumnus of Washington Academy, Maine Maritime Academy, and the Kansas City College of Osteopathic Medicine. John was the last of his breed, an old-school country doctor who cared for generations of Washington County residents while delivering more than two-thousand babies in his forty-three-year career. John was equally proud of his more than ten years “shipping out” as a Merchant Mariner. He sailed around the world on the biggest vessels of the time, including delivering supplies to Vietnam to support the war effort.

John served his community in many ways. He served on the Board of Trustees at Washington Academy for thirty-six years, he also was active for many years in the Maine Osteopathic Association, including serving a term as president. John was a proud Master Mason of Warren Lodge #2. He also was a longtime member of the 32 Special Hunting Club of Berry Township. John was a sixth generation East Machias Blueberry Farmer and served as a board member for the Wild Blueberry Association of North America.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a grandson, Wesley Keeton; his beloved siblings, Ruth Leubecker and George Gaddis; and in-laws, Wesley and Margaret Vose. He is survived by his children, Rebecca Hennessey and husband, Michael, Kate Keeton and husband, Lee, Meghan Dennison and partner, Chad, Zeke Gaddis and wife, Abigail; grandchildren, Derek, Brian, Ben, Rachael, Grace, George, Lily, John, James, Sarah, and Harper. John is also survived by his sister, Margaret Gardner and husband, Dick; sister-in-law, Mary Beth Gaddis; nephews, Jeff, Scott, and Kevin; and niece, Gillian.