OCEAN PARK — John L. Bove, 87, of Ocean Park, died in his sleep on April 4, 2017 after a long struggle with chronic pain.

John was born on Dec. 14, 1929 in Burlington Vermont, graduated from University of Vermont, and received his master’s degree in counseling from Boston College. He married Frances Macrae of Kennebunkport in 1952, to whom he was married for 57 years.

He loved sports, especially baseball, and was drafted as a pitcher by the St. Louis Cardinals before choosing instead to enter college. He became an academic, serving the public as a high school teacher, principal, guidance counselor, history professor, and finally moving to Maine to become the Dean of Admissions at St. Francis College (now the University of New England). Many people may still remember him as an announcer of news and sports for WGME (now WGAN) and WCSH. In the 1960’s, he was a well-known on-air personality on Burlington, Vermont television as well. John was a long-term communicant and lector at Good Shepherd Parish in Saco.

John was predeceased in 2010 by his wife, Frances Macrae Bove, and by his sons Matthew, Gregory, and Christopher Bove. He is survived by Jennifer Bove of Portland, Jon Bove and family of Haverhill Massachusetts, Geoffrey and Andrea Bove of Kennebunkport, and many grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

A mass of remembrance will be held at Most Holy Trinity Church in Saco, on April 17 at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private, at Forest City Cemetery in South Portland.

If remembrances are desired, please make a donation to Death with Dignity National Center, 520 SW 6th Ave. #1220 Portland, OR 97204 or at www.DeathwithDignity.org