John Samuel Hoskin

GORHAM – John Samuel Hoskin went to be with our Lord and Savior on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at the age of 98. He was born in Houlton to George Hoskin and Eva (Cosseboom) Hoskin, the youngest of four (brothers Bob and Harold and sister, Edith Bolster).

As a young boy, he played the trombone, loved sports and was proud of attaining the status of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. He graduated from Houlton schools and attended Becker Business College until he was drafted into the Army, where he achieved the rank of Captain. Upon leaving the Army, he attended the University of Maine and Indiana University. He later earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern Maine.

John was fortunate to have two great loves in his life. While on leave from the Army, he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Imogene Cone (39 years, deceased in 1983).

In 1984 he was blessed to marry the second love of his life and is survived by Mary Elizabeth Bell. He is also survived by his children and stepchildren, Dennis Hoskin and his wife Jeanne, Daniel Hoskin and his wife Mitz, Janet Hoskin and her wife Sue Weatherbie, Sandi Pierson-Pollock, Chuck Holt and his wife Claudia, Mary Proctor and her husband Larry Sr., Barbara Hurley and her husband Nate, Dacy Holt Jr. and his wife Ester. He is also survived by 23 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and many other loving family members.

John lived a long and full life where the hand of God was always present to lead and guide him. He was an industrious entrepreneur and shared his talents and knowledge in many and diverse ways. While in high school, he purchased large wood ladders and painted houses. While in college, he and Barbara started the “BarPoly Trailer Park” in Old Town. He could build just about anything out of wood, and did, including three of the houses in which he lived.

Throughout his life John developed numerous small businesses in the fields of agriculture, commercial sign manufacturing, real estate and home building, window manufacturing and installation, retail product manufacturing, snow removal, vending machine operations, camping trailer rentals and an income tax service.

He impacted the lives of many while serving as a Gorham High School educator and Assistant Principal (20 years), a Professor of Economics at the University of Southern Maine, an FBI Agent, the President of the Worldwide Baraca Philathea Union and finally retiring as the Pastor of South Limington Free Baptist Church (20 years).

John was a loving, kind, supportive and devoted man throughout his life. He was a helping hand in times of need, a guiding light to so many. He made a positive impact on innumerable lives. He was a pastor who shepherded his flock with love and devotion. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. We celebrate knowing he is now with God.

Please join us on March 11 as we honor John during visiting hours at the Dolby Funeral Chapel, Gorham, from 9 to 11 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life service and reception at the South Limington Free Baptist Church at 1:30 p.m.

For those desiring alternatives to flowers, donations will be accepted by:

South Limington Free Baptist Church toward the “John and Mary Hoskin Scholarship Fund.”