SCARBOROUGH – Capt. John Guy Coolidge, 80, of Scarborough, formerly a longtime resident of Crash Road, North Livermore, died Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

He was born on April 9, 1943, in Farmington, the son of John Fremont Coolidge of North Livermore and Burna (Smith) Coolidge of Strong. John was a 1961 graduate of Livermore Falls High School, Central Institute in Pittsfield in 1962, Norwich University in Northfield, Vt. in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree in History and the University of Maine, Graduate School of Education, in Orono, with a master’s degree in Secondary School Administration and Supervision in 1972.

At Livermore Falls High School, he was a three-sport letter man in football, skiing and track and State of Maine Record Holder in the shot put and at Norwich University he was a Distinguished Military Student and Distinguished Military Graduate and a member of the Corp of Cadets Regimental Band, where he played tenor saxophone and was an executive officer.

Upon completing his college education, John accepted a Regular Army Officer Commission in the United States Army and remained in the United States Army Transportation Corps from 1966 to 1976. He attained the rank of captain, served twice overseas in Korea along the Demilitarized Zone with the 4/7 Armored Calvary Squadron of the 2nd Infantry Division and later with the Division Support Command Headquarters of the 2nd Infantry Division. John also commanded Company A, 1st School Battalion of the Transportation School Brigade at Fort Eustis, Va. and later served as an Assistant Professor of Military Education at Rutgers University, and the State University of New Jersey from April 1973 to May 1976.

While at Rutgers, he was the Faculty Advisor to the Queens Guard, a Springfield Rifle, “silent” trick drill team which became a two-time National Champion and also performed internationally in England and Australia. During his proud service to his Country, John was awarded two Army Commendation medals and was also authorized to wear the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Korean Defense Service Medal.

After leaving the Army on July 19, 1976 with an honorable discharge. John entered public education serving as MSAD #36 / Jay Director of Adult Education, Athletic Director and Assistant Principal of Livermore Falls High School and Principal of Livermore Falls High School from 1976 to 1988. The Livermore Falls High School Yearbook “The Banner” was dedicated to him in 1979. He was also elected President of the Mountain Valley Conference for school year 1986-1987. The Mountain Valley Conference recognized John in 1988 with a plaque “in appreciation and gratitude” for his many years of service to the Mountain Valley Conference. John was also a graduate of the Maine Principal’s Academy in 1982, the Vermont Principal’s Academy in 1989 and he was a certified Maine School Superintendent. During his career in public education, John was recognized with two Certificates of Recognition from the National Association of Secondary School Principals for “contributing significantly to education and in recognition of outstanding personal and professional contributions” while Principal of Livermore Falls High School and Principal of U-32 Jr. / Sr. High School in Vermont, a Certificate of Recognition from the State of Maine Department of Education and Cultural Services for his work as MSAD #36 / Jay Director of Adult Education, a Certificate of Appreciation from the State of Maine, Department of Education and Cultural services for his “advocacy on behalf of exceptional students”, a Certificate of Appreciation from the Maine Secondary School Principal’s Association in recognition of his “valued contributions” to the Maine State Principal’s Association, by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges on his “principals leadership” during the accreditation reviews at both Livermore Falls High School in Maine and U-32 Jr. / Sr. High School in Vermont and by the State of Maine Legislature in 1988 with a sentiment for his “service as a dedicated educator in the Livermore Falls School District”. John completed his Principal career in Vermont from 1988 to 1998 at two schools, U-32 Jr. / Sr. High School in East Montpelier, Vt. and Windham Jr. / Sr. High School in Windham, Vt.

In July of 1998, John retired to the Coolidge Homestead in North Livermore. He has been a member of the Maine and Vermont Secondary School Principals Associations, the American Legion, George Bunten Post #10 of Livermore Falls, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #3335 of Jay as a Life Member and serving as Sr., Vice Commander in 2004-2005, the American Legion Post in Barre, Vt., Eaton Memorial United Methodist Church in Livermore Falls and the Hartford Community Church in Hartford.

He is survived by four children, John F. Coolidge of Yarmouth, Catherine G. Coolidge of Augusta, Mary C. McCrann of Falmouth, and Capt. Samuel A. Coolidge of Scarborough; his sister, Dr. Jane W. Coolidge and her daughter, Johanna Young of Portland; six grandchildren, Patrick, Maxwell, and Winslow McCrann, Catlyn, Natalie, and Hazel Coolidge; also, son-in-law, D.J. McCrann, son-in-law, Tim Bear, and daughter-in-law, Maribeth Coolidge.

He was predeceased by his father, John F. Coolidge, June 12, 1986 and his mother Burna S. Coolidge, Nov. 19, 2007.

John especially liked these thoughts all his life, “It is what you do for others that matters most” and “I will pass this way but once, if there is any good that I can do, let me do it now, for I will never pass this way again”.

Messages of condolence may be sent to: http://www.finleyfuneralhome.com

A graveside military funeral service with full military honors will be held at 12 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the Waters Hill Cemetery, Waters Hill, Livermore for family and friends who might wish to attend. There will be no visiting hours or memorial donations. Arrangements by Finley Funeral Home, 15 Church St., Livermore Falls, ME 04254

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