John Albert Batchelor, Jr., 76, of Ocala, FL passed away on December 23, 2022 after a lengthy
illness.
John was born in Portland, ME on November 25, 1946 and grew up in Westbrook, ME. John
attended Westbrook High School and graduated in 1966. John then went on to a long career in
industrial sales. His industrial sales career introduced him to many interesting people and places
in the New England region. Later John left the sales business and fulfilled a dream of going to
culinary school at Southern Maine Technical College. From there he went on to work for the
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University on the science research vessel
Maurice Ewing, which took him to many countries around the world. John was a true Maine
sportsman and enjoyed camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, boating and mountaineering
adventures. After retiring, John pursued a quieter life in Ocala, FL, where he spent most of his
time with the many friends he made, riding horses and kayaking. John enjoyed poetry and was a
voracious reader and had an impressive library. John was well known for his quick wit and
sense of humor, and he had a way of storytelling that captured everyone’s attention and always
involved lots of laughter.
John is survived by his daughter, Paula Batchelor Bolles, her husband Timothy Bolles and his
granddaughters Averyl Bolles and Anna Bolles of New York, his son David Batchelor of Maine
and his son Jason Batchelor of Maine. He is also survived by his brother Robert Batchelor and
his wife Linda Batchelor of Maine and his sister Judith Batchelor Bennett and husband Jerry
Bennett of Maine, as well as several nieces and cousins. John was preceded in death by his
parents John A. Batchelor, Sr. and Mae Batchelor, and his infant brother. John was proud of his
children and adored his granddaughters.
In lieu of a traditional memorial service, John requested a simple burial next to his parents and
infant brother in Westbrook, ME.