FARMINGTON – Paul “Bucky” Francis Sproul, 82, of Farmington, died on Tuesday July 29, 2014 at Orchard Park Rehabilitation & Living Center.
He was born on July 12, 1932, in Augusta, one of 12 children, including his twin sister Pauline, of John and Susan (Harvey) Sproul. He graduated from Cony High School in 1950 and after serving in the Air Force in Germany and Idaho he earned a bachelor’s degree at Farmington State Teachers College. He married Jeannette Lebel in 1957 and moved to Farmington. They had two children, Lee Jane and Joel.
Schools were the focus of Paul’s multifaceted career. He was an elementary school teacher for 25 years, working in Jay, Wilton and Farmington. After retirement, he worked part time for many years as a custodian for the Mt. Blue Regional School District.
Bucky was known best as a coach, referee, and umpire. While serving in Germany he proudly coached a championship youth basketball team. He began refereeing basketball in 1956, and became a well-known fixture in the community. A reporter for the Sun Journal wrote in 2004, “Paul Sproul is as much a part of youth basketball in Franklin County as that bouncy round orange thing is.” In 2006, the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials honored him for his 50 years of service as a basketball referee.
Additionally, in 1994 Paul was selected as head linesman for the Maine Shriners “Lobster Bowl”Classic. He dedicated many hours umpiring little league baseball and football and for many years Bucky was the official clock operator for Mt. Blue High School sports. After retirement, he took pride in showing visitors his golden lifetime pass to all Mt. Blue games.
Sharing his love of basketball with kids was Paul’s favorite pastime. Mark Hayes, a former student who later became a teacher himself, recalled in a blog post of Paul routinely scooping up him and other boys on Sunday mornings after Sunday school and taking them to play half-court basketball at Mallet School. “Paul Sproul, the only grown-up among us, must have been well into his fifties at that point … but there were days when he reminded us of (former Boston Celtics star) Bob Cousy. He had the no-look bounce pass ready for any opportunity. Thank you, Paul, for all the hoops.”
Paul is survived by his wife, Jeannette, of Farmington; daughter Lee Jane Libby, of Gray; son Joel Sproul, his wife,Elena Theodosiou and their son Jacob Sproul, of Dover N.H.; grandsons Ryan Schwartz, his wife Shannon, and their children Sophia and Mason, of Biddeford; Jamison Schwartz and his girlfriend Kady Hafner, of Portland; sister Ida Owen, of Augusta; brother Robert Sproul and his wife, Donna, of Gardiner; twin sister Pauline Marceau, of Livermore Falls; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Paul is predeceased by brothers Oliver Sproul and Harvey Sproul; and sisters Lillian Quigley, Annie Tomasello, Doris Sproul, Mary Wing, Jane Morin and Catherine Cronin.
Family and friends are invited to call at the Wiles Remembrance Center, 137 Farmington Falls Rd., (Rtes 2 & 27) Farmington, Sunday, Aug. 3 from 4-7 p.m. A Memorial Mass of Christian burial will be held Monday, Aug 4 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church at 133 Middle St. in Farmington. Following Mass, a comfort reception will be held at the Parish Hall, hosted by the Altar Guild. All are welcome. Graveside services will be held Thursday, Aug. 7 at noon at the New Maine Veteran’s Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta, with military honors provided by Camp Keyes.
Remembrance gifts may be given in Paul’s memory to either: Paul Sproul-Hippach Field Fund, Attn. Shelley Deane, Franklin Savings Bank, PO Box 825, Farmington, ME 04938; or Mt. Blue High School Athletics: attention Todd Demmons, Mt. Blue High School, 129 Seamon Road, Farmington, ME 04938. Tributes and condolences may be shared on his memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.
Had Mr. Sproul as a seventh grade teacher and have many fond memories of him, one being his great sense of humor.My condolences to his family.
Fond memories of Mr. Sproul, so thankful for all time he gave to our community schools ,,,, my thoughts to his family
RIP Bucky! What a fellow, an Icon. As a Catcher I spent many hours with Bucky behind me as well as on the Basketball court. He taught us respect for the games and that it was a game, have fun. He was one of those Special people that we all loved to see and talk with. Never complained, always had a smile and kind word. Many fond memories.
It is sad to read about Paul’s passing . He was a good man who loved basketball
Paul could blow a whistle with the best of them. His tenure in Franklin County basketball goes back to the 1960’s. And more recently, have missed seeing him walking his dog to the post office. . Thoughts going out to Jeannette and everyone in the Sproul family today.
My condolences Jeannette, Paul was a wonderful man and a fixture in youth sports while I was growing up. To me, one of his greatest strengths while officiating youth games was the way in which he would prod the kids in a positive fashion, not create friction between player and official. He turned the player/referee relationship into a nurturing one, not confrontational. His love of sports and of their participants was obvious. Thank you for sharing him with the youth of the area, God Bless.
My sincere condolences to the family. Growing up in West Farmington everyone knew Bucky I have so many memories of baseball, football, and later announcing football games at the High School right beside Bucky as he ran the clock. One of my funniest memories of Bucky was when I was 13 and a first year player in Babe Ruth. Bucky was behind the plate and it was my first plate appearance in Babe Ruth, the pitcher an older player threw a pitch that was coming right at me, so I turned away sure I was going to be hit. Then I heard in a soft but confident voice say “Strike”. As I looked back at Bucky positive he needed glasses, he just looked at me and said, “Galen, that was a curveball”! Always on point, rest in peace Mr. Sproul.
Like all the other posters, i have fond memories of years of association with Paul, in the various sports, education, and simply around town. Our community has lost a good friend, sports enthusiast, and a true gentleman. Somewhere when you hear that whistle in the sky, you can be sure it is Bucky calling them as he sees them. RIP, Paul.
My condolences to the Sproul family Sheryl and my thoughts and prayers are with you. I had the great pleaser of being one the individuals that Mr. Sproul taught and coached over the years. It is hard to find someone as dedicated as he was to everything he set out to do. He influenced many young minds, I wish my girls could have been taught and mentored by this awesome teacher and coach. Rest in peace, you will be remembered!
Paul’s love of youth and youth sports was unsurpassed. During my twelve years coaching the Chiefs, we never had money to pay Paul and Tom Knight. Finally after a fundraiser we gave them a token payment with our sincere thanks. These two men took the money and bought new chains and markers for the field. Paul was a giver when it came to youth sports.
Paul was my uncle and mothers {Pauline] twin brother. He touched the lives of many students and sports fans in the western Maine area. He will missed by all.
Respectfully, Bill Marceau
R.I.P Mr. Sproul…. Lots of great memories in sports for me….
RIP Bucky, fond memories. Our best to the family.
R.I.P Bucky I will see you again on the court one day! to the best ref ever, thanks for all you did.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family!
RIP Bucky. Prepped a few athletic fields with him years ago. Apart of the community.
Thinking of you Jeannette.
Mr. Sproul graciously gave so much over so many years to Farmington’s young athletes and fans, the world needs more men like him. My sympathy goes out to family.
My sincerest condolences to Mr. Sproul’s family. He was a great teacher, a great man.
My condolences to the family
Uncle Paul will be missed dearly. I will always remember your smiling face. And your little chihuahua you and Aunt Jeanette had so many years ago! Prayers go out to you and all of your family. Aunt Pauline, from a twin to a twin, my thoughts are with you.
Sorry for your loss Jeannette, we are thinking of you.
Aunt Jeanette, Lee Jan, Jes, Pauline and extended families – I am so sorry to hear the news and sorry that we cannot be there with you at this time. Uncle Paul and you all have given so many people so many good memories; so many prayers and thoughts are going your way today and in the coming days. We will miss Uncle Paul and send our sincere condolences to you all.