Obituary Notice From Wheeler Funeral Home 26 Church St. Oakland, Me. 04963 207-465-3011 November 10, 2013 John A. Bucknam Jr. 74, died in his sleep on Saturday November 9, 2013 at Orchard Park in Farmington. Born in Waterville on March 9, 1939, John lived his life for his family, friends, co-workers and customers. John s hard work, determination and courageousness unveiled itself very early...at age 17, when he won the Governor s Award for Cabinetry for his project of an Oak Desk, and up until the age of 70, when he built his dream home cape in Chesterville, overlooking the Western Maine Mountains. Along the way, he demonstrated his skills with his hands through making furniture in his shop on Smithfield Road in Oakland. There was a full page and a half posted in the Morning Sentinel that we all admire of him every time we look at it on our walls. John renovated, rented, and managed apartment building in Oakland that he prided himself on, and used to support his family. His family was everything to him and this was shown not necessarily with his words all the time, but if you looked at him in the eyes, it would tell you the whole story of his pride and commitment towards them. John graduated from Williams High School in Oakland, Class of 1958. He served his country in the Army National Guard. He was an active member and long time Trustee of the United Baptist Church, where he worked on the church itself. He installed a new kitchen and renovated the parsonage, along with many other repair projects there. He was a member of the Oakland Lions Club and the Messalonskee Masonic Lodge. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Gladys (Eastman) Bucknam, his sister Joyce Pelletier. John will always be missed by his wife Joan L. Who he married on August 29, 1959, his 3 sons, Gregory J. Of Waterville, Brian L. And wife Melanie of Hudson Nh., Jason T. And Becky of Bowdoin, grandchildren include Matthew Brown of Ok., Colby V. Bucknam Of of Bowdoin, Gage and Cole Bucknam of Hudson, NH. John has 2 surviving sisters, Ellen Weeks and Helen Bridges both of Oakland, 4 brothers, Robert Bucknam of Canaan, Ronald Bucknam, Steven Bucknam, and David Bucknam of Oakland. Sisters in law include Sandra Bucknam, Bonnie Bucknam and Estelle Bucknam. Brothers in law include Wayne Weeks and Bert Main of Oakland, and Richard Main of Lebanon, John was also blessed with an extended church family and wonderful nieces and nephews who all loved Uncle John. Friends are invited to visit Tuesday November 12 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Wheeler Funeral Home 26 Church Street Oakland. A funeral service will be 10:00 AM on Wednesday November 13 at the Oakland United Baptist Church 47 Church Street Oakland, a gathering of friends and family will follow at the Decker-Simmons Post American Legion. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Oakland United Baptist Church 47 Church St. Oakland, ME. 04963.