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John F. Bicknell III

Date of Death: December 2, 2018

Date of Birth: July 5, 1942

Biography:

John F. Bicknell III, 76, of Gorham, Maine and formerly of Rangeley, Maine transitioned through the challenges of metastatic prostate cancer and passed forward peacefully on December 2nd, 2018 at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine.

Born July 5th, 1942, in Worcester, MA, John was the son of Jane (Reid) and John F. Bicknell. Growing up in Grafton, MA,
John graduated with the class of 1961 from Worcester Academy. It is with honor and dignity that John served the United State Air Force, Strategic Air Command, as Airman ,1st Class. Based in both the United States and Europe, John's role was Crew Chief on a B-47 bomber. Returning to civilian life, John earned his Associate's Degree in Forestry at Paul Smith's College in 1969.

John's active participation in sled dog racing inspired him, with his new wife Martha by his side, to move to Rangeley, Maine in 1973, where they settled to raise their family. After working numerous seasonal jobs, John and Martha created Bicknell Enterprises, a home-based heating oil delivery business, which they owned and operated for nearly 20 years.

Rangeley's natural beauty spoke to John's soul in a deep and powerful way. It is this connection to nature that led him to design and care for the Mingo Trail & Bird Walk; create many rock gardens; and annual and perennial flower gardens throughout the 18 hole Mingo Springs Golf Course. John's meditative building of stone walls of strength and beauty, where there once were moss-covered piles of loose rocks, enhanced the landscape of this place John so loved. John always declared, "Working at Mingo is the best job I've ever had!" In his final season as Mingo's gardener, 2017, John was honored by the presentation and placement of signs on the course reading, "Bicknell Walls & Gardens, Designed & Constructed by John Bicknell."

John's greatest and most enduring love was for his family, where his kind and gentle ways are deeply and eternally treasured. Family held the ultimate priority in John's life and time shared with his multi-generational family brought him immense joy and delight. His heart was filled with precious family memories that sustained him beautifully throughout his life.

Friendships centered upon outdoor wanderings, social fun, and Rangeley Congregational Church projects added immeasurable richness to John's life. He is described as a kind and loyal friend by his golfing buddies, his trail work partners, and all those who knew John through school activities and community events in the Rangeley Region.

Passing forward before John are his parents and his still-born son. He is deeply missed by his beloved wife of 46 years, Martha, as well as his two adoring daughters: Sarah & Jason Toner and their family; and Megan and Luke Walsh and their family. An array of cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews complete John's family circle.

A Memorial Service will be held at Rangeley Congregational Church, 2 High Street, Rangeley, ME on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at 11 a.m. , followed by a reception at The Barn.

Cremation arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives of Windham, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be offered to Rangeley Congregational Church Scholarship Fund,
P.O. Box 218, Rangeley, ME 04970 or to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074. (www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org/give)