John Clark Wolfgram
1948 - 2025
John Clark Wolfgram
1948 - 2025
Obituary
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John Wolfgram Obituary
April 23, 1948 - August 5, 2025
John Clark Wolfgram, age 77 passed away August 5th, 2025 at his home in South Portland, Maine. He was the son of the late John Ohman Wolfgram and Constance Clark Wolfgram of Marblehead, MA. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Adin (Person) Wolfgram for 58 years.
John is survived by his daughter, two sons and daughters in laws. Beth, Brett and Pamela and Joshua and Tiffany; six grandchildren Madeline, Benjamin, Calvin, Zachary, John and Miles, also sisters, Susan Carroll, Constance Thober and Judith McNaught. He was predeceased by sisters, Patricia Marshall and Barbara Cash.
John graduated from Marblehead High School in 1966, the University of Maine in 1970, and with a Master's Degree in 1972. He was a Maine High School teacher for over 50 years in the communities of Madison, Gardiner, South Portland and Cheverus High School. During this period John also coached football, which he continued to do after his retirement from teaching.
John loved a day on the golf course, the day the cherry tomatoes in his garden ripened, reading a new book or one of his favorites again, and writing poetry. He was an active member of the parish at St. Albans Church in Cape Elizabeth and volunteered his time at Preble Street Soup Kitchen. He also enjoyed spending time at his camp in New Hampshire, his nightly ice cream and especially time with his grandchildren.
An Open House Celebration of Life will be held Saturday August 16th, 2-6 pm at the Spring Point Marina - 1 Spring Point Dr, South Portland, ME. All are welcome.
John received support from the Southern Maine Parkinson's Foundation. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating via the Go Fund Me Link: https://gofund.me/a9c98635
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Carolyn DuEst
August 16, 2025
Adin - I was so very sorry to hear of your husband´s passing. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Joseph M. Bryant
August 14, 2025
Saddened to learn of coach Wolfgram's untimely passing. From the amazing record of his sporting accomplishments and the glowing testimonies of those who knew him, he obviously was an extraordinary person. I had the privilege of playing under coach Wolfgram -- and fellow coaches Buddy White and Gene Benner -- at Madison High School in 1972, when the team surpassed all expectations to go 8-2, with both losses coming on a single point! So it should have been 11 state championships for the record-setting coach! Thanks for all those unforgettable memories of that wonderful senior year.
My condolences to his family and friends. Requiescat in pace, Coach.
Joseph M. Bryant
willis smedberg
August 13, 2025
You were the best of us, see you in the afterlife coach. Willis Smedberg.
Sue LaGasse
August 12, 2025
Mr. Wolfgram,as both a teacher and coach, was a breath of fresh air at MHS in 1971! Always enjoyed his history class and going to football games to watch our winning team. An added bonus was the expressions on his face when his guys messed up! I was also fortunate to get to know his young family as I babysat Beth and Brett quite often. A life well lived, but gone too soon. Rest in peace Mr. Wolfgram.
Sue LaGasse
MHS Class of `73
How you can show support
Ashley Duffield
August 12, 2025
I'm saddened to hear of Coach Wolfgram's passing, he didn't coach me in football, but certainly did in life. He was a gentleman of the finest caliber, inspirational and one to look up to. Best wishes to Beth and the Wolfgram Family.
Kind regards
Ashley Duffield
Australia
Lewis McCarthy
August 11, 2025
John Wolfgram and Lew McCarthy in 1974 at Madison High School
Lewis McCarthy
August 11, 2025
Sorry to hear about your passing Coach, you will be missed by many! We had great times together with you at Madison High School! You didn't just tell us how to play, you showed us and if we didn't do something right you helped us learn with lots of practice. At the beginning of every season you would gather us in a classroom and go over all the plays on a black board and teach us strategy. Then every Spring you would load up a small bus with a dozen or so of us and head for Marblehead Mass to play your old High School baseball team. Heck you even drove the bus. Practice, practice, practice in the gym until the snow left the ground then more practice outside. You taught us how to play to win. You will always be a winner in my book! Take care Coach, like my pastor says you're in the balcony now looking down from above and you will never be forgotten.
Thank you for all your help,
Lew
Susan Borelli
August 10, 2025
I will miss you John We share a lot of my favorite memories, SP Football, Al's Bar, Christmas eves, New Years at your house and your awesome grilled salmon, and of course up to camp. Rest in peace my friend... you've earned it. Love Sue
Lisa
August 9, 2025
So very sorry to hear about
Mr. Wolfgram. He was always a great teacher and inspiration to many. I spent many football games cheering next to Adin. What a legend he became. Sending heartfelt condolences to the whole family.
Lisa Drummond Webster
Ed & Jen Sobey
August 8, 2025
Dear Adin and family,
John touched our family at so many levels. He was such an inspiration to our children and to Ed and me. He was an amazing person, teacher, coach and friend.
Please know we are thinking of you all during this time .
Deb Doherty & Tom Scannell
August 8, 2025
Sending our love and sincere condolences to the entire family. Only a very special couple could have brought forth such a wonderful family.
Dana Lawrence
August 8, 2025
First my Coach, then my dear friend! I will carry you through my life! You changed my life and forever grateful!
Richard Lougee
August 8, 2025
Condolences to Adin and family! Only superlatives come to mind as i remember Coach Wolfgram! I was one of the lucky ones who played for him at Gardiner Area HS. Our sophomore yr he lead us to our first Class B title, then our senior yr when we won our 2nd Title. Wolfy was a true gem, whose luster captivated his players attention, almost to the point of perfection! Last summer while visiting my hometown, I tracked him down and was able to spend a glorious few hours with him. Here he is autographing his book for me, what an absolutely amazing human being! Love you Coach, you will be dearly missed!!
Mary Zebiak Sapoznik
August 8, 2025
As a member of Madison High School, Class of `73, my classmates and I were among Mr. (Coach) Wolfgrams´s first year students as juniors in the fall of 1971. He taught American History at the time with the confidence, professionalism and ease of someone who had been at it for years. I also had the pleasure of getting to know him and his young family much better as a babysitter for Beth and then Baby Brett throughout my junior and senior years. A lifetime ago and, yet, only yesterday! My sincere condolences to all of you who loved him most and were blessed to be part of his amazing legacy. You are all in my prayers.
Bill Mottola, JR
August 8, 2025
I first met Coach at a football camp my dad started at Maine Maritime Academy called Camp Touchdown. What energy he had! A great coach, leader, mentor, teacher and role model! He had a long lasting positive affect on so many. RIP
Mark Bither
August 8, 2025
It is with the deepest sadness that I send my heartfelt condolences to the Wolfgram family.
My father (Supertendent of Madison Schools) hired Coach Wolfgram during the year our family moved from Massachusetts to Maine. I had some history of being a football player and had no intention of playing in Maine.
Coach Wolfgram's approach and understanding of my feelings coming from Marblehead himself about the move facilitated me to reconsider to play football.
He even offered to help me visit my old high school during school breaks.
I was Coach Wolfgram's quarterback, middle linebacker and punter.
He was an inspiration to all which I tried to model in my 27 years as an senior Army Officer.
One story that I have always remembered was one that wife Adin shared with me early in our relationship.
During a dental procedure, Coach Wolfgram choose to save $5 by refusing novocaine for the procedure.
They broke the mold with Coach Wolfgram. We would do so much better if we had more like him
RIP Coach-You are missed
Barbara Symonds Hitchcock
August 8, 2025
Adin, Beth,Brett, Josh, and their families , Sue,Connie and Judy and the entire Wolfgram family and many cousins.
My thoughts and payers are with you all.
My all your wonderful memories bring you comfort through the next difficult days but also bring comfort, peace, and love when you gather to celebrate John´s remarkable life both in Marblehead and Maine.
Barb Hitchcock
Dana Kiernan
August 8, 2025
Sorry to hear of John´s passing. Love to John´s family. Picture is from Marblehead Little League Championship White Sox circa 1960. John and I were childhood friends and team mates. He was a champion from early on and thru his life. Love Dana Kiernan
Mooch Davis
August 8, 2025
One in a million man. A Football Coach for (2) years; a "life coach and dear friend" for (50) years. Will miss him dearly.
"Mooch" Davis
Nancy Morrissey Sawyer
August 8, 2025
RIP Coach! Prayers to his family and friends at this very sad time. He made history interesting and loved watching him master the football field. A truly great man
kristen tully
August 8, 2025
hi to the Wolfgram, I just saw John 2 months ago at a lacrosse game So Portland against Dering. I was sad to hear he had passed away. He was a nice man.? I remember him at Games football and at the store Shaws or Hannaford. . Take care, From Kristen Tully
Mike Mealey
August 8, 2025
Very sorry to hear of Coach Wolfgram passing. Fond memories of having him for my Freshman line coach at UMO in 1970 and many years and great battles against his teams in my years coaching at Lawrence. RIP Coach
Skip Capone
August 7, 2025
Coach was an amazing husband, father, teacher and he sure could Coach
Proud to call John a dear friend
Over 40 years
We competed often on the field, shared round of golf and shared a love of the best game ever invented RIP Coach your impact will last forever
Holly Mullen
August 7, 2025
Dear Wolfgram Family:
I am a longtime friend of Kerrie and Jeff Roach in Salt Lake City. So naturally, I have spent many wonderful hours with Beth and Zachary over the years.
I am deeply sorry for your loss of John. What a life and legacy he leaves behind. May you find strength and comfort in his memory. Your family is lovely.
I lost my beloved husband Ted in April 2024 at age 85 to complications from a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Beth and I spoke about our similar situations. The pain of this kind of loss is great. Even with time and knowing that Parkinson's absolutely progresses in spite of all we do, there is no way to truly prepare and be ready for the end.
We hope for better treatments and a cure. And I wish you all great love.
Peter Clark Haines
August 7, 2025
Peter Clark Haines! Cousins by birth...friends by choice
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