John Deering

Jack Deering
FALMOUTH - John William Deering, loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, good friend and mentor to so many, died on January 11, 2015, after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his devoted family, close friends, and the talented staff at Mercy Hospital.
"Call me, Jack," was his constant introduction. His welcoming spirit brought an instant rapport with all those who met him.
Jack was the elder son of John and Eleanor Trefethen Deering of Portland. His brother, Robinson and sister, Tref, predeceased him. Jack's fondest memories of his childhood hail from Ferry Village in South Portland as well as Cape Elizabeth.
Jack was a proud, "Mainer," and a passionate advocate of its lakes, mountains, and ocean where he longed to be. A jock, Jack excelled in football, basketball, and baseball at South Portland High School and later at Governor Dummer Academy. There, he was Captain of the baseball team and elected Class President, class of 1947. In 1997, his 50th reunion, he returned as Baccalaureate speaker and received the Alumnus of the Year designation.
If you knew Jack, you knew Colby College. He began his extensive education on the original, "Downtown Campus," where he gleaned many lessons from the WWII veterans and the Waterville community. He was a baseball and basketball teammate and later, the president of Zeta Psi fraternity. His junior year, he matriculated in Texas, at Southern Methodist University, but after one year, he headed back to Maine. Upon his return, he worked for his great mentor, George Robinson, as a truck driver for King Cole Potato Chips, while also joining the Maine National Guard 102 AC+W , based at Fort Preble, (now Southern Maine Community College), in 1951. Later that year, his Air Force unit was activated to duty and ordered overseas to Wheeler's Field, Tripoli, North Africa, in service of the Korean War.
At the insistence of his mother, Eleanor, Jack returned to Colby and the new, "Mayflower Hill," campus in 1953. There, he met his wife of almost sixty years, Ann Burnham of Wellesley, Mass. Jack and Ann graduated together and married soon after graduation in June, 1955.
Jack began his career in the investment business in Boston, MA. He returned again, to beloved Maine where he honed his salesman skills at various investment firms with his loyal business partner, Carl Barker. Together, they formed Barker Deering Associates which was eventually acquired by Paine Webber in 1981. Jack and Carl's financial planning model and their contrasting talents, contributed to over thirty years of success. Jack would say to Carl, "I'll bring 'em; you fix 'em."
Jack loved working in his native city of Portland. He was known for doing his best work while walking down Congress Street, shaking hands with the people he knew while simultaneously, introducing himself to complete strangers. He was a master at networking and connecting people.
Jack was eternally grateful for his connection to Colby. He was the face of Colby to anyone in the Portland area. "Colby Jack," didn't miss any opportunity to promote the college. He particularly enjoyed being surrounded by Colby friends and students at sporting events, especially when Colby was beating Bowdoin!
Jack served as a Colby Trustee from 1979-81, was a president of the Portland Alumni Association, a perennial alumni interviewer, member of the Alumni Council and athletic recruiter. Jack was awarded the "C" Club Man of the Year in 1962, received the Colby Brick Award in 1968, and the Marriner Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1994.
The proudest success of Jack's life was his family: wife, Ann Burnham Deering of Falmouth, ME, daughter, Janet Deering Bruen and her husband, Phil Bruen of Falmouth, ME, daughter, Ellen Deering, of Portland, ME, son, Richard B. Deering of South Portland, ME and four granddaughters: Elizabeth, Suzanne, Mary, and Maggie Bruen. Jack cherished time spent collectively and individually with his children and grandchildren alike, going on trips with the Maine Audubon, skiing, travelling, "dancing" and just being in their company.
Jack, Dad, "Fuddees," listened, offered counsel, and showered great affection, and love and support to so many. Jack loved life and loved people. And, best of all, that love was returned to him.
The Deering family thanks the wonderful, caring, staff at Bay Square, Yarmouth.
Honoring Jack's request, there will be no visiting hours or service. A reception in his honor will be held at a later date at the Portland Country Club, whose staff has graciously served the Deering family for so many years. On-line condolences may be share at: www.hobbsfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made on line at gift or by mail to: Colby College, Attn: Jack Deering Maine Scholarship Fund, 4335 Mayflower Hill, Waterville, ME 04901, and/or: The Governor's Academy, 1 Elm Street, Byfield, MA 01922, c/o The Governor's Fund, or online at www.thegovernorsacademy.org/giving. Your donations are greatly appreciated.