BRIDGTON -On Friday, February 10, 2023, William "Bill" Amasa Bearse, III, longtime teacher, skier, sailor, golfer, and friend, passed away at 81 in his home surrounded by his wife and two children.
Bill was born on February 21, 1941, in Barnstable, Mass, to William Amasa Bearse Jr and Virginia Platner Bearse. He grew up in Hyannisport, where he learned to sail and swim and developed his lifelong love of the sea. He raced Wyanno Seniors and Lasers, among other boats. His passion for Maine started when he attended Hebron Academy; following graduation Bill spent time in France before being sent to Vietnam in 1963. After the Marines, Bill attended Boston University, played defensive line on the hockey team, and sailed before attending MIT for grad school. While teaching graduate classes in Boston, Bill started his weekly trek up to the Maine woods to ski; he soon realized that he had two choices, die driving to Maine or move up to Maine and enjoy life. So Bill moved to Maine and began teaching at MCI, where he met his wife, Lee while teaching. After leaving MCI, Bill and Lee moved to Bridgton Academy, where Bill spent most of his career as a chemistry teacher, ski, and tennis coach. Bill sent over 100 students to the Naval Academy during his time at BA, and his experiments stinking up the hallways with the smell of sulfur were legendary. While he spent many days convincing wayward students to love science, his true passion was lifelong sports.
While in Bridgton, Bill designed a beautiful post and beam house on Moose Pond, raised his wonderful children, and cherished every moment in the Maine outdoors. As a steward of the Maine outdoors, Bill could be found rowing on Moose Pond in the early mornings in his beautifully restored 1903 Old Town Rowing Canoe or carving up the slopes on nearby mountains. Bill always thought a good year was at least 100 days on the slopes, 150 days in a boat, and a 100 days on the course. He taught many friends and family to ski, sail, golf, play tennis, and learn to love the outdoors.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Ginny Bearse, his beloved daughter, Jessica Lee Bearse, and many great friends. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lee Martell-Bearse; his son Asa and wife, Mayara, of New Haven, Connecticut; his daughter Emily Bearse of Strafford, New Hampshire; and his dog Lily and grand-dog Zuzu. He was loved by many, including his many longtime friends.
Bill has many plans for his earthy body, and a celebration of life will be at the Old Saco Inn on March 25 from 2-4 pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Winter Kids Fund, Loon Echo Land Trust, or Bridgton Academy. We encourage all to ski a run or two in his memory.
Online condolence messages can be submitted at the Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home website, www.mainefuneral.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, www.mainefuneral.com
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