TOPSHAM — John W. Ambrose Jr. died on Friday, Nov. 7, 2014. His friends and family will remember him best for his sense of humor, his dedication to teaching, his love of tennis and his gentlemanly charm.

John was born to Vivian and John W. Ambrose Sr. on Jan. 23, 1931, in Grafton, MA. He attended St. John’s Preparatory School in Worcester and went on to receive A.B., A.M., and Ph.D. degrees in classics from Brown University. Further studies took him to Princeton University, the University of Chicago, and the American School of Classical Studies in Rome and Athens.

While reading for his doctorate at Brown, John met Frances (Petey) McKillop whom he married in 1961 in Laconia, NH.

John began his teaching career at Roxbury Latin School, followed by teaching assignments at Phillips Andover Academy and the Taft School. For 20 summers he taught and served as Dean of Students at St. George’s Summer School in Middletown, RI.

In 1966, John began a 34- year career as Professor of Classics at Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME. In 1977 he was named Joseph E. Merrill Professor of Greek. John was a president of the Classical Association of New England. Among his published works are Euripides’ Hecuba, The Ironic Meaning of the Lollius Ode, Greek Attitudes, Preparatory Latin and Euripides’ Helen.

Professor Ambrose was invited to deliver the convocation speech to the Bowdoin Class of 2002. At the end of his speech, he said, “I’m a professor and can’t imagine enjoying any form of work as much as teaching bright young men and women. Heaven knows how often in the past three decades I have thanked my tutelary divinity for introducing me to the classics, Bowdoin College, and the joys of the classroom.”

John was an active member of St. Charles Borromeo Church where he was a frequent lector and past president of the church council whose vision planned and built the current church.

John is survived by Petey, his wife of 53 years; two sons, John W. Ambrose III (Jay) of Hampton, NH and Matthew R. Ambrose of Brunswick; his grandsons, Tyler, Benjamin and Justin; his brother Richard Ambrose of Green Bay, WI; his sister Vivian Bullard of South Grafton, MA; his sister Vivian Bullard of South Grafton, MA; his sister-inlaw Mary Ann Kramer of Melbourne, FL, and numerous nieces and nephews.

John was predeceased by his youngest son Peter Ambrose of Brunswick.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Nov. 14 at St. Charles Borromeo, All Saints Parish, McKeen Street, Brunswick.

Friends of John and his family are invited to wish John “Cheery Beery” at 11:30 a.m. at the Cram Alumni House, 83 Federal St., Brunswick.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Church, All Saints Parish, 132 McKeen St., Brunswick, ME 04011. Arrangements are in the care of Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick. For those unable to attend, condolences to the family may be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.c om.