John M. Hoctor

HOCTOR, John M. Captain John M. Hoctor, 88, of Bangor, ME died at home on Wednesday (April 21, 2004). He was born April 15, 1916 in Biddeford, ME the son of John and Ellen (Collins) Hoctor. John graduated from the University of Maine in 1941 and began a career in the Navy that spanned more than 33 years, retiring with the rank of captain. He served in World War II as commander of a rocket gunboat participating in four major attacks for which he received two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. After his duties during World War II John was assigned to Maine Maritime Academy in 1945 where he began an outstanding and memorable career as a multi-sports coach, athletic director and school registrar. John resigned in 1958 but served as commanding officer of the U.S. Naval Reserve in Bangor, ME, as well as embarking in an insurance sales career. John also worked for the State of Maine Bureau of Rehabilitation from 1967-1977 finishing his career in rehabilitation as a state regional director. John was predeceased by Betty, his wife of 60 years in February 2003, eight siblings and most recently, his grandson Kyle Patrick Valentine, 21, of New Britain on March 18, 2004. In addition, he is survived by three children, six grandchildren and a great-grandchild; a daughter, Betsy Valentine, her son Kenny of New Britain; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael J. and Nancy Hoctor and their children, John, Sam, and Michelle, all of Sanford, ME; a daughter and son-in-law, Nell and Dennis Dalheim and their children, Carson of Wayne, ME, and Sharon D. Robins and her son, John Linton of Hardyville, VA. A Memorial Service will be held at Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, ME on June 26, at 1 p.m. Donations in John's memory can be made to: Office of Development, Kyle P. Valentine Scholarship, University of Hartford, 2000 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117.