PORTLAND – Karel Jan Bossart Jr., born July 17, 1939, Philadelphia, to Karel J. Bossart of Antwerp, Belgium and Cornelia Chase Bossart of Catonsville, Md. K. Jan or “Jan” died peacefully at home, in Portland on May 23, 2021, at the age of 81.

Jan grew up in La Jolla, Calif., graduated from University of California, Berkeley in 1961. He attended medical school at the University of Miami and graduated in 1965. Jan completed an internship at San Francisco General between 1965-1966, then residency at University of California, San Francisco between 1966-1971. Jan served in the Navy between 1969- 1973 as the ship’s surgeon on the USS Hancock which was deployed to Vietnam. In 1973, he was honorably discharged with the rank of ;ieutenant commander. Jan then went into private practice as a general surgeon in San Francisco for 22 years. In 1995, Jan moved with his wife Martha and her son Elliot to Maine where he served veterans at the Togus VA for 15 years until his retirement in 2010.

Jan had a zest for life and loved to sail, travel, and watch his beloved Cal Bears college football team (“wait till next year!”). Additionally, he enjoyed golfing with Martha, or watching/discussing the Red Sox with his friends and family. Jan especially enjoyed coaching his grandsons when they were playing sports. Although Jan was not a singer, he enjoyed belting out songs by Marty Robbins, Kate Wolf, and John Denver. He also enjoyed attending the symphony, opera, and ballet. Jan loved the endless banter that he shared with his brother whenever they were together.

Jan formed life-long friendships and loved to organize outings such as tailgate parties before Cal football games; pool-parties and barbeques; or special dinners at home.

Jan is survived by his wife Martha Vrana-Bossart; his children with his first wife, Kate Lord, and his stepson. His children/grandchildren include daughter, Mary Halfpenny and grandsons Zach, Sam, and Jude Halfpenny; son, Charlie Bossart; daughter, Katharine Bossart and her husband Carlos Hilson; son, David Bossart and grandchildren Sophia and Dylan Bossart; and his stepson, Elliot Vrana. Jan is also survived by his brother, Newell Bossart and his wife Myrle Ann; nephew, Chase Bossart and his wife Elizabeth, nephew, Russell Bossart; and Jan’s sister, Marion Bossart. Jan was predeceased by his parents.

A memorial service for Jan will be held Thursday, June 24 at 4 p.m. at the Conroy-Tully Walker South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. A Celebration of Life reception will take place immediately following the service in the same location. To view the live stream of Jan’s service, please visit https://www.facebook.com/conroytullywalker. Please visit http://www.ConroyTullyWalker.com to share a favorite “Jan-ism” on his memorial page.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Beacon Hospice of South Portland, an Amedisys company at http://www.amedisys.com/donate who made it possible for Jan to die in his beloved home with his wife Martha, his cat Calypso, and his yellow lab Jasmine at his side.

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