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Jesse Markham Obituary

MARKHAM, Jesse William Of Friendship, Maine and Longboat Key, Florida, a lifelong professor, died peacefully on Father's Day, June 21, 2009. He was 93, and is survived by Penelope, his beloved wife of 65 years, his three children, Elizabeth (Betsy) McLean, John James Emanuel, II, and Jesse William, Jr., neice Penny Boling, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Jesse was best known and will be remembered as a wonderful, highly respected teacher, ending his long, devoted career at The Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration which, years after his retirement, honored him with a Distinguished Service Award, proclaiming that his "love of teaching has been legend, his admirers legion, and his publishing prolific - a rich resource to all of Harvard." Jesse was born in rural Sharps, Virginia, on the Rappahannock River, on April 16, 1916. He graduated with high honors from the University of Richmond in 1941 and was considering a baseball career with the Washington Senators when Pearl Harbor changed the plans of his entire generation. He attended Johns Hopkins University's Foreign Service School from 1941 to 1942 and was thereafter commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Navy. He served in the Atlantic theater as a gunnery officer on the USS Augusta, the heavy cruiser acting as the flagship for the Normandy invasion, where he saw combat from the first attack on June 6, 1944. After leaving the Navy in late 1944 Jesse married Penelope Anton, whom he had met at a USO dance in Portland, Maine, and attended Harvard University, where he was awarded a Master's degree (1947) and a Ph.D.(1949) in economics. He began his academic career as an associate professor at Vanderbilt University (1948 - 52) and in 1953 moved to Princeton University as a Professor of Economics. He joined the faculty of the Harvard School of Business Administration in 1968 and was appointed to the Charles E. Wilson Chair in 1972. He retired from the Harvard Business School in 1982 as a Professor Emeritus, a title he retained until his passing. Jesse never stood still, constantly enriching his ability to educate and serve. He was appointed to the position of Chief Economist to the Federal Trade Commission (1953-55), was an economic delegate for the European Common Market (now the OEEC) in 1958, served as a Commissioner on the Federal Trade Commission in 1974, was a professor at the Carter Center at Emory University (1982-84), and served as a People to People Diplomacy Mission Delegate to the USSR (1989). Jesse wrote prolifically for 50 years in the fields of industrial organization, marketing, and management. He often said that, among his many publications, he was most proud of the study he collaborated on with his son Jesse Jr., on the regulation of baseball under the federal antitrust laws, a report later submitted to the United States Congress. He was an avid tennis player, the luckiest fisherman wherever and whenever he went out, a life-long Red Sox fan, and a wonderful story teller. Jesse lived fully and gave unstintingly to his family and country. His family will miss him and keep him in our hearts forever. Services: Funeral Service will be held Thursday, June 25, 2009, 11:00am, at Friendship United Methodist Church, Friendship, ME. In lieu of flowers donation may be made to The Friendship Library or Friendship Volunteer Fire Dept., Friendship ME. Arrangements are by Davis Funeral Home, NASHUA, NH. An online guest book is available at www.davisfuneralhomenh.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Boston Globe on Jun. 24, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
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6 Entries

Anthony Hourihan

March 13, 2010

Dear Penny,
Your husband Jesse was the most generous and wonderful man I have ever known and I owe my entire career to the generous interest he showed in me as a young man. His memory will live warmly in the memories of all who knew him. He is now making God smile.

Laurie Matthews

July 8, 2009

Dear Penny,
I was so so saddened to read of Jesse's passing. It's been years since you two were able to spend time with my Mom and Dad, but I will ALWAYS treasure my memories of "The Markhams and the Matthews"! I send you my most heartfelt sympathy and a big hug. Jesse's wit and warmth were tremendous gifts. My love, Laurie Matthews

Mark Anton

June 25, 2009

With our deepest heartfelt sorrow. We will all miss Uncle Jesse and carry in our hearts the memories he left with us. I will miss his sharp wit and worldly advise, many many memories, quite literally not enough room here to share them all.
Again with sympathy, from all the Antons
Mark

Les and Libby Simon

June 24, 2009

Dear Penny,

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

June 24, 2009

Aunt Penny,Betsy,John,Bill,Penny et al

God threw away the plans after Uncle Jesse.How blessed we were to know him, how blessed you were to have him for so long. I know he leaves a hole in many hearts.

All our love,and Zoe se mas

Meli, Kimon,Danae and Alexander Florias

Bob & Bennie Dods

June 24, 2009

Penny and family,

Sincere sympathy to you and your family. What a rich history Jesse created. We are sorry we didn't get to know him better. I know he will be missed by so many people. Our prayers are with you that the Lord will bring you comfort and peace.

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